Quantitative ultrasound elastography and biometry of the bitch uterus in the early puerperium after vaginal delivery and caesarean section

Elastography is an actual imaging method used to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the elastic properties of tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare uterine tissue biometry and stiffness during post-partum period in brachycephalic bitches (n = 12) after c-section (GCS; n = 8) or normal delivery (GNB; n = 4). These animals were evaluated daily by abdominal ultrasound from the day of delivery until the 10th day post-partum; measuring uterine diameter, myometrial and endometrial thickness (mm) and shear wave velocity (SWV; m/s), by B-mode and ARFI (acoustic radiation force impulse) elastography, respectively. Uterine diameter was higher (p = .012) in animals submitted to c-section (15.26 ± 4.73 mm) than in normal birth (12.53 ± 2.64 mm) during the first 7 days post-partum. Uterine thickness gradually involuted in both groups (p < .0001), the myometrium during the first 9 days (p = .005) and the endometrium during the first 6 days (p = .003). The myometrial and endometrial SWVs were similar between types of delivery (p = .7846 and .8273) and presented a gradual increase (p = .411; .0043, respectively), during the first 10 days post-partum. It was concluded that bitches with normal delivery had smaller uterine thickness and faster puerperal involution than submitted to c-section, while uterine tissue stiffness was similar between delivery types and increased gradually during post-partum.     

Metabolic milieu and localization of ovarian leptin and receptor in queens under different reproduction phases

Veterinary Research Communications - Metabolic profile and leptin presence and expression of receptor in the ovary of 8 queens were analyzed. All queens were assessed for nutritional state and...     

Early post mortem expression of genes related to tenderization in two Italian Simmental young bulls' skeletal muscles differing in contractile type

The early post mortem expression of eight genes potentially involved in meat ageing process and the tenderness of two Italian Simmental young bulls' (Bos taurus) skeletal muscles differing in their contractile type were evaluated. Samples of Longissimus lumborum (LL) and Infraspinatus (IS) muscles were collected from 17 bulls. The messenger RNA (mRNA) abundances of calpain‐1, calpain‐2, calpastatin, caspase 3, caspase 9, heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27), Hsp40 and Hsp70 were detected by quantitative PCR. The myosin heavy chain‐slow and ‐fast isoform content, the pH_48h and the lipid content of the muscles were in line with the contractile and metabolic type. In comparison with the fast LL, the slow IS showed a lower calpain‐1/calpastatin mRNA content ratio after slaughtering and a higher Warner‐Bratzler Initial Yield value after 7 days of ageing. Hsp27 and Hsp70 mRNA abundances were significantly lower in LL than IS, highlighting their potential role in the ageing process of bovine muscles.     

Anti‐nociceptive and sedative effects of romifidine,tramadol and their combination administered intravenously slowly in ponies

ObjectiveTo evaluate the anti-nociceptive and sedative effects of slow intravenous (IV) injection of tramadol, romifidine, or a combination of both drugs in ponies.Study designWithin-subject blinded.AnimalsTwenty ponies (seven male, 13 female, weighing mean ± SD 268.0 ± 128 kg).MethodsOn separate occasions, each pony received one of the following three treatments IV; romifidine 50 μg kg⁻ (R) tramadol 3 mg kg⁻¹ given over 15 minutes (T) or tramadol 3 mg kg⁻¹followed by romifidine 50 μg kg⁻¹ (RT). Physiologic parameters and caecal borborygmi (CB) were measured and sedation and response to electrical stimulation of the coronary band assessed before and up to 120 minutes following drugs administration. Results were analyzed using the Friedman’s test and 2 way anova as relevant.ResultsWhen compared to baseline, heart (HR, beats minute⁻¹) and respiratory rates (f_R, breaths minute⁻¹) increased with treatment T (highest mean ± SD, HR 43 ± 1; f_R 33 ± 2) and decreased with R (lowest HR 29 ± 1 and f_R 10 ± 4) and RT (lowest HR 32 ± 1 and f_R 9 ± 3). There were no changes in other measured physiological variables. The height of head from the ground was lower following treatments R and TR than T. There was slight ataxia with all three treatments. No excitatory behavioural effects were observed. The response to electrical stimulation was reduced for a prolonged period relative to baseline following all three treatments, the effect being significantly greatest with treatment RT.ConclusionTramadol combined with romifidine at the stated doses proved an effective sedative and anti-nociceptive combination in ponies, with no unacceptable behavioural or physiologic side effects.Clinical relevanceSlow controlled administration of tramadol should reduce the occurrence of adverse behavioural side effects.     

(13)C NMR characterization of triacylglycerols of Moringa oleifera seed oil: an "oleic-vaccenic acid" oil

The composition of acyl chains and their positions in the triacylglycerols of the oil extracted from seeds of Moringa oleifera were studied by (13)C NMR spectroscopy. The unsaturated chains of M. oleifera seed oil were found to comprise only mono-unsaturated fatty acids and, in particular, two omega-9 mono-unsaturated acids, (cis-9-octadecenoic (oleic acid) and cis-11-eicosenoic acids) and one omega-7 mono-unsaturated acid (cis-11-octadecenoic acid (vaccenic acid)). The mono-unsaturated fatty acids were detected as separated resonances in the spectral regions where the carbonyl and olefinic carbons resonate according to the 1,3- and 2-positions on the glycerol backbone. The unambiguous detection of vaccenic acid was also achieved through the resonance of the omega-3 carbon. The (13)C NMR methodology enabled the simultaneous detection of oleate, vaccenate, and eicosenoate chains according to their positions on the glycerol backbone (1,3- and 2-positions) through the carboxyl, olefinic, and methylene envelope carbons of the triacylglycerol acyl chains.     

Investigations on the high molecular weight foaming fractions of espresso coffee

The target of the present work was the chemical, technological, and sensorial characterization of the brown polymers (foaming fractions) of freshly prepared espresso coffee. The total foaming fraction (TFF) was precipitated with ammonium sulfate from the defatted freshly prepared beverage and then subfractionated by adding 2-propanol/water to give an insoluble fraction (foaming fraction A, FFA) and a soluble fraction (foaming fraction B, FFB). The former is almost colorless, has a higher molecular weight and a lower nitrogen content, and contains mostly polysaccharides, whereas the latter has a lower molecular weight and a higher protein/melanoidin content, which results in a darker color. FFB showed greater foaming capability, but FFA contributed to the stability of the foam. FFB was further fractionated with solid-phase extraction and characterized by different analytical methods (size exclusion chromatography, UV, HPLC-DAD, 1H NMR). All of the melanoidin-rich fractions showed antioxidant properties with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate method.     

Evaluation of the Pollutant Content in Road Runoff First Flush Waters

Road runoff waters are able to convey a number of organic and inorganic pollutants originated by different non-point sources and by the road surface itself. Such pollutants can enter aquatic systems, thus contributing to water and soil contamination. This study was aimed at evaluating the pollutant content in first flush runoff waters from a highway located in Central Italy. A water sampling apparatus was devised able to collect only the first 10 L of runoff water. Water samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy, ion chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in order to determine metals, ions, and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, respectively. Soil samples were collected as well for metal and hydrocarbon determination. Results obtained in a field experiment carried out in two different seasons and in two different sites along the highway are reported. The study was extended to water samples collected in a strip of the same road not yet in use. Results obtained showed a temporal and a spatial variability due to the different period rainfall and to sites features, respectively. Within such a variability, a substantial agreement, in terms of order of magnitude, with other studies carried out in European sites was observed.     

Changes in Phenolic Compound and Antioxidant Activity of Germinated Broccoli,Wheat, and Lentils during Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - The consumption of sprouts has increased as the germination process causes changes in the chemical composition of the seeds, improving their nutritional value. The...     

Carbon stocks in a 50‑year‑old Eucalyptus camaldulensis stand in Sicily,Italy

Eucalyptus stands in semi?arid areas may contribute to enhance carbon (C) stocks in both biomass and soil. However, the limited information available is mainly focused on short?rotation plantations. In this study, the above? and below?ground C pools in five 50?year?old Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. stands planted on Miocenic evaporitic deposits in Sicily, Italy, with a xeric and thermic pedoclimate, were measured. Above?ground biomass was determined by partitioning and weighing branches, stem and leaves. Below?ground C pools included the determination of litter, root biomass, and soil organic and inorganic C. In terms of the above?ground biomass, the E. camaldulensis stand accumulated on average 116?Mg ha?1 corresponding to 55?Mg C ha?1. Below?ground biomass consisted mainly of larger roots, followed by fine and medium roots (33?Mg ha?1 corresponding to 14?Mg C ha?1). Litter accumulation on the soil surface accounted for 13?Mg ha?1 corresponding to 5?Mg C ha?1. The amount of C stored in soil was 554?Mg C ha?1, of which 75% was in organic form. Although E. camaldulensis is planted extensively throughout the Southern Hemisphere and tropics where it is managed over short rotations (c. 2–4 years), the results obtained from this study make this species important in terms of future afforestation planning for longer rotations due to its potential to sequester C, particularly in the below?ground components.     

New Methods for Selecting Stallion Spermatozoa for Assisted Reproduction

Improved sperm selection techniques are needed to increase the efficiency of equine-assisted reproduction. Single layer centrifugation (SLC) of spermatozoa has been shown to improve the quality of stallion sperm samples. In this study, the functionality of selected stallion spermatozoa was tested by intracytoplasmic sperm injection of equine oocytes after selection by SLC through Androcoll-E or by discontinuous density gradient centrifugation (DGC) through Redigrad and Tyrode's medium with added albumin, lactate, and pyruvate. The mean cleavage rates of the injected oocytes from SLC- and DGC-selected spermatozoa were 67% and 66%, respectively, whereas the proportion of blastocysts developing from cleaved oocytes was 28% and 22%, respectively (P > .05, not significant). An incidental finding was that there was a tendency for SLC-selected spermatozoa to have a higher percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology than DGC (70% ± 22% vs. 58% ± 38%) and for more blastocysts to be obtained from subfertile ejaculates (21 [19.6%] vs. 15 [14.4%], respectively). In further experiments, stallion spermatozoa bound to hyaluronan, although binding may depend on the semen extender and sperm treatment as well as incubation time. In conclusion, SLC-selected stallion spermatozoa function normally when injected into oocytes. SLC may potentially be better than DGC at selecting spermatozoa from subfertile ejaculates, but this effect needs rigorous investigation with a much larger sample size. Use of the hyaluronan-binding assay for assessing the potential fertility of stallion spermatozoa may be useful but requires further evaluation.