Woody Plants Diversity and Possession,and Their Future Prospects in Small-Scale Tree and Shrub Growing in Agricultural Landscapes in Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Woody plants diversity and possession in small-scale tree and shrub growing practices among farmers of central highland Ethiopia were assessed by using a complete census of the trees and shrubs existing on farmers’ lands. The future prospects of diversity and possession of woody plants in the agricultural landscapes were also investigated by using the farmers’ species preferences and seedling demands as indicators. Comparisons were made across wealth classes, proximity clusters to a nearby state forest and land uses. It was found that 27 tree and 21 shrub species exist on lands of the studied households. With increasing wealth status of the households, the tree and shrub species richnesses increased. Tree and shrub species richnesses were highest in boundary plantings and homesteads respectively. Small-scale woodlots had the highest number of tree stems while homesteads contained the highest number of shrub stems. The number of tree stems a household possesses is strongly influenced by distance from the state forest, family size, educational level of the household head and number of iron-roofed houses owned. And, the shrub stems possession is significantly influenced by wealth status, distance from the state forest, land holding size, family size, livestock holding, age of wife and possession of off-farm income sources. The species preference analysis and seedling demand computations indicated that the woody species diversity is less likely to change in the future because there is no difference between the currently existing species and the preferred ones. Nonetheless, the number of tree and shrub stems on the farmers’ holdings could increase if the seedling demands of the preferred woody species are met.     

OSTEOSARCOMA WITH A PATHOLOGIC FRACTURE IN A SIX-MONTH-OLD DOG

This case history report describes the clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic features of an osteosarcoma with an associated pathologic fracture in a 6-month-old dog. A 6-month-old intact male Bloodhound was presented with a primary complaint of a right forelimb lameness of one month's duration. In radiographs, a minimally displaced transverse fracture of the proximal humeral metaphysis was seen. There was extensive cortical bone destruction at the fracture site and minimal periosteal new bone suggestive of a primary bone tumor with a pathologic fracture. Biopsy specimens demonstrated neoplastic mesenchymal cells producing osteoid compatible with a diagnosis of osteosarcoma. This case history report constitutes the youngest reported canine osteosarcoma.     

Whole berries versus berry anthocyanins: interactions with dietary fat levels in the C57BL/6J mouse model of obesity

Male C57BL/6J mice received diets with either 10% of calories from fat (LF) or a high-fat diet [45% (HF45) or 60% (HF60) calories from fat] for 92 days (expt 1) or 70 days (expt 2). These were given with or without freeze-dried powders from whole blueberries (BB) or strawberries (SB) (expt 1) or purified anthocyanin extracts from BB or SB (expt 2). Body composition was determined utilizing Echo MRI. Berries added to the LF diet did not alter weight gain, final body weights, body fat, or protein (percent body weight) or diet (grams) or energy (kilocalories) intake. However, in both HF45- and HF60-fed mice, weight gain, final weights, body fat (percent), and epididymal fat weights increased and body protein decreased ( p < 0.01) compared to LF mice. In mice fed HF45 diet plus BB, body weight gains, body fat (percent of BW), and epididymal fat weights were significantly greater than those in the HF45-fed controls, whereas weights of mice fed SB HF were similar to those of HF controls. SB or BB feeding did not alter glucose tolerance, although glucose tolerance decreased with age and in HF45 versus LF mice. Baseline plasma glucose was lower in SB- versus HF45-fed mice. After 8 weeks, mice fed the HF60 diet plus purified anthocyanins from BB in the drinking water had lower body weight gains and body fat than the HF60-fed controls. Anthocyanins fed as the whole blueberry did not prevent and may have actually increased obesity. However, feeding purified anthocyanins from blueberries or strawberries reduced obesity.     

Influence of gallic acid and tannic acid on the mechanical and barrier properties of wheat gluten films

Vital wheat gluten, a byproduct of wheat starch production, is a highly functional ingredient having a unique viscoelasticity that makes it ideal for the production of edible biodegradable films. However, its functional properties must be modified to ensure sufficient strength and elasticity, in addition to water vapor barrier properties. In this study, vital gluten was modified using tannic and gallic acid. It was found that the addition of tannic acid resulted in stiffer, more resistant, and less resilient and flexible films, having as well decreased water vapor permeability. Tannic acid containing films became reddish brown, whereas gallic acid addition did not have an influence on the film appearance. Films containing gallic acid became more elastic. Gallic acid was found to potentially act like a plasticizer. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the ultrastructure of the produced films.     

Genetic screening of FecB,FecXG and FecXI mutations and their linkage with litter size in Barki and Rahmani sheep breeds

Characterization of fecundity genes offers the opportunity to improve production efficiency, and the consequent increase in litter size in livestock industry, through utilizing them in breeding programs. The main objective of this study was to detect the BMPR‐IB, BMP15 and GDF9 gene mutations and to investigate whether these mutations are associated with litter size in Egyptian sheep breeds. To achieve this goal, 73 adult ewes representing Barki (n = 33) and Rahmani (n = 40) breeds were used. Polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) screening approach was used to detect the presence of FecB, FecX^G and FecX^I mutations in the two selected breeds. Results of this study showed that the three different candidate gene mutations, namely FecB, FecX^G and FecX^I are not present among these selected populations of the Egyptian breeds. Further studies regarding other mutations and/or other genes, which may influence ovulation rate, should be carried out to determine the type and mode of inheritance of such genes in Egyptian sheep breeds.     

MRI of a split cord malformation in a german shepherd dog

A 9 yr old spayed female German shepherd dog was referred for MRI of the thoracic and lumbar spine because she had clinical signs of chronic neurogenic bladder dysfunction of an unknown cause. Transverse T2-weighted images identified a type II split cord malformation (i.e., diastematomyelia) in the thoracic spine. Split cord malformations are forms of spinal dysraphism where the abnormal development of spinal cord results in sagittal splitting of a portion of the cord into two hemicords. The location of the lesion in the thoracic spine was consistent with the dog's clinical signs of an upper motor neuron bladder. Split cord malformations that occur in humans have similar MRI characteristics and can result in similar clinical signs as those identified in the dog described in this report.     

Processing and storage effects on monomeric anthocyanins, percent polymeric color, and antioxidant capacity of processed blackberry products

Blackberries are a rich source of polyphenolics, particularly anthocyanins, that may contribute to the reduced risk of chronic disease; however, as with most berries, the fresh fruit are only seasonally available. With most of the blackberries consumed as frozen or in thermally processed forms after long-term storage, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of processing and 6 months of storage on the anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity of blackberries that were individually quick-frozen (IQF), canned-in-syrup, canned-in-water, pureed, and juiced (clarified and nonclarified). Monomeric anthocyanins, percent polymeric color, and antioxidant capacity by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC FL) and photochemiluminescence (PCL) were determined postprocessing (1 day) and after 1, 3, and 6 months of storage. Processing resulted in increases in polymeric color values (up to 7%) and losses in monomeric anthocyanins (up to 65%). For most products, processing also resulted in losses in antioxidant capacity (by ORAC FL and PCL). Storage at 25 degrees C of all processed products resulted in dramatic losses in monomeric anthocyanins with as much as 75% losses of anthocyanins throughout storage, which coincided with marked increases of percent polymeric color values of these products over 6 months of storage. There were no changes in ORAC FL or PCL for processed products throughout long-term storage. No significant changes in antioxidant capacity or anthocyanin content were observed in IQF fruit during long-term storage at -20 degrees C.