Improvement of the quality and shelf life of wheat bread by fermentation with the antifungal strain Lactobacillus plantarum FST 1.7

Lactobacillus plantarum FST 1.7 was screened for in vitro antimicrobial activity and was shown to be active against spoilage moulds and bacteria. Isolation of antimicrobial compounds from cell-free supernatant identified lactic acid, phenyllactic acid and the two cyclic dipeptides cyclo (l-Leu-l-Pro) and cyclo (l-Phe-l-Pro) as the major components responsible for this activity. L. plantarum FST 1.7 was tested for the ability to produce the antifungal compounds during sourdough fermentation and to produce bread of good quality and increased shelf-life. A rheofermentometer was used to examine the gaseous release and development characteristics of the dough. A range of parameters was determined including pH, TTA and specific loaf volume. The results were compared with those obtained using Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis, a chemically acidified and a non-acidified dough. The quality of sourdough and bread produced using L. plantarum FST 1.7 was comparable to that obtained using common sourdough starters, e.g. L. sanfranciscensis. Sourdoughs and breads were evaluated for the ability to retard growth of Fusarium culmorum and Fusarium graminearum two fungi found on breads. Sourdough and bread produced with strain FST 1.7 showed consistent ability to retard the growth of both Fusarium species, thus indicating that L. plantarum FST 1.7 has also the potential to improve the shelf-life of wheat bread.     

Application of the 51Cr-EDTA urinary recovery test for assessment of intestinal permeability in the horse

Altered intestinal permeability is implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse equine medical conditions including alimentary laminitis and protein-losing enteropathies associated with parasitic infection. The aims of this study were to assess the feasibility of applying the 51Cr-EDTA absorption test for the assessment of intestinal permeability in the horse, and to apply this test in horses with experimentally induced alterations in gastrointestinal function. Four healthy ponies were administered 36 MBq of 51Cr-EDTA via naso-gastric tube, and urine samples were collected into polythene bags strapped to the pony's abdomen. Total urine voided every 6 h was collected during each test, and 1 ml samples were taken for measurement of gamma-radiation. Urinary recovery of 51Cr-EDTA was measured following intravenous atropine sulphate or bethanecol, and following 22 and 46 days of administration of 250,000 third-stage cyathostome larvae. There was no significant difference in urinary 51Cr-EDTA recovery following the control treatment, and following atropine or bethanecol administration, but significant increases were detected in the animals with experimental cyathostome infection consistent with increased permeability of the intestinal membrane. Motility modifying agents (bethanecol and atropine) did not affect absorption of 51Cr-EDTA, suggesting that subtle changes in motility might not affect the ability of this test to detect altered intestinal permeability. The finding of increased urinary recovery of 51Cr-EDTA in ponies with cyathostome infection suggests that 51Cr-EDTA may be a useful marker for assessment of intestinal permeability in the horse.     

Disentangling the electronic and phononic glue in a high-Tc superconductor

Unveiling the nature of the bosonic excitations that mediate the formation of Cooper pairs is a key issue for understanding unconventional superconductivity. A fundamental step toward this goal would be to identify the relative weight of the electronic and phononic contributions to the overall frequency (?)-dependent bosonic function, Π(?). We performed optical spectroscopy on Bi(2)Sr(2)Ca(0.92)Y(0.08)Cu(2)O(8+δ) crystals with simultaneous time and frequency resolution; this technique allowed us to disentangle the electronic and phononic contributions by their different temporal evolution. The spectral distribution of the electronic excitations and the strength of their interaction with fermionic quasiparticles fully account for the high critical temperature of the superconducting phase transition.     

Quantifying the sources of variability in equine faecal egg counts: implications for improving the utility of the method

The faecal egg count (FEC) is the most widely used means of quantifying the nematode burden of horses, and is frequently used in clinical practice to inform treatment and prevention. The statistical process underlying the FEC is complex, comprising a Poisson counting error process for each sample, compounded with an underlying continuous distribution of means between samples. Being able to quantify the sources of variability contributing to this distribution of means is a necessary step towards providing estimates of statistical power for future FEC and FECRT studies, and may help to improve the usefulness of the FEC technique by identifying and minimising unwanted sources of variability. Obtaining such estimates require a hierarchical statistical model coupled with repeated FEC observations from a single animal over a short period of time. Here, we use this approach to provide the first comparative estimate of multiple sources of within-horse FEC variability. The results demonstrate that a substantial proportion of the observed variation in FEC between horses occurs as a result of variation in FEC within an animal, with the major sources being aggregation of eggs within faeces and variation in egg concentration between faecal piles. The McMaster procedure itself is associated with a comparatively small coefficient of variation, and is therefore highly repeatable when a sufficiently large number of eggs are observed to reduce the error associated with the counting process. We conclude that the variation between samples taken from the same animal is substantial, but can be reduced through the use of larger homogenised faecal samples. Estimates are provided for the coefficient of variation (cv) associated with each within animal source of variability in observed FEC, allowing the usefulness of individual FEC to be quantified, and providing a basis for future FEC and FECRT studies.     

Risk factors for superficial digital flexor tendinopathy in Thoroughbred racehorses in hurdle starts in the UK (2001-2009)

Reasons for performing study: Superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendinopathy is a common injury in Thoroughbred horses racing over hurdles. Identification of risk factors may allow the introduction of measures to minimise the incidence of this injury. Objective: To identify risk factors for SDF tendinopathy in Thoroughbred horses in hurdle races in the UK. Methods: Potential risk factors for SDF tendinopathy were studied between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2009 using a retrospective cohort study design with 1031 case starts and 168,637 control starts. Potential risk factors were screened using univariable logistic regression prior to multivariable model building. Results: In the final multivariable model, 20 statistically significant risk factors were identified. Variables found to be associated with increased odds of SDF tendinopathy included: firmer going; increased horse age at first race; having had a previous SDFT injury; and racing in the summer compared to other seasons. Variables found to be associated with decreased odds included: being trained by a more successful trainer; and having raced more frequently in the preceding 9–12 months. Conclusions: This study identified multiple risk factors associated with SDF tendinopathy, some of which are difficult to explain with the current data source. Factors resulting in increased cumulative horse and tendon fatigue (increased years in racing; carrying increased weight; and racing over longer distances), firm ground, and the presence of previous tendon injury should be considered when attempting to reduce the likelihood of sustaining SDF tendinopathy. Potential relevance: The results will facilitate the development of strategies to improve the overall safety of horses in hurdle racing in the UK.     

长白山森林的采伐更新方式

This paper discussed the characteristics of degenerated forest ecosystems in Changbai Mountain area,which include over-harvest natural forest,typical secondary forest,derived forest,and artificial forest.Forest cutting and regeneration methods that were historically used in the region were summarized.They lnclude diameter-class selective cutting,clearcutting,upbringing selective cutting,and selective sutting.We proposed cutting methods for the broad-leaved Korean pine mixed forest,spruce-fir forest,and larch forest.The measures for restoring the original mixed forest ecosystems were recommended.     

Tree seedling establishment in living fences: a low-cost agroforestry management practice for the tropics

Establishing trees in pastures can have production and conservation benefits, but is complicated by the presence of livestock. The need to protect seedlings from livestock increases tree establishment costs, which in turn, can deter landowners from planting trees. Living fences are a ubiquitous feature of pasture landscapes in the tropics that could help protect newly planted trees by preventing livestock trampling and browsing. This study quantified the effectiveness of a living fence in protecting tree seedlings during the first 2 years after planting. The four native tree species evaluated were: Cedrela odorata L., Pachira quinata (Jacq.) W.S. Alverson, Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr., and Tabebuia rosea (Bertol.) A. DC. Results show that the living fence provided protection from livestock except in cases where tree species were highly palatable as forage (i.e. P. quinata). Trees planted into the living fence generally had greater survival (62 vs. 28%), relative growth (10.3 times initial height vs. 5.8 times initial height), and final height (191 cm vs. 108 cm) compared to those planted in open pasture after 2 years. However, survival and growth of trees planted into the fence remained lower than that observed at a nearby plantation with no livestock, regular weeding and no living fences. This study indicates that use of living fences as a protective barrier could be an effective low-cost approach for establishing trees in tropical pasture landscapes.

Impact of sourdough on buckwheat flour, batter and bread: Biochemical, rheological and textural insights

In this study, the impact of sourdough fermentation on the biochemical, rheological and bread-making performances of buckwheat flour was investigated. In order to assess the effects of the solely acidification, a chemically acidified batter with the same pH of the sourdough was prepared. Extensive hydrolysis of the globulin fraction and release of small polypeptides occurred upon fermentation. A major reduction in the extent of interactions was observed in the sourdough, mainly due to the modification of the major structural components of buckwheat during the fermentation. The hydrolysis of proteins and, possibly, starch was in turn responsible for the major decrease in elasticity observed in the sourdough. In the batters destined for bread-making, the presence of acids was the major cause for reduced elasticity and increased strength, which could be related to the enhanced water-holding capacity of the proteins and/or protein/starch complexes. The addition of sourdough induced dramatic inhibition of the CO₂ production by the baker’s yeasts during proofing, resulting in lower volume and harder crumb of the sourdough bread. On the other hand, the solely acidification induced hardening of the starch gel upon cooking, which was responsible for lower volume and irregular crumb grain in buckwheat bread.