Unit and Internal Chain Profile of Millet Amylopectin

The unit chain compositions of debranched foxtail, proso, pearl, and finger millet amylopectins and their ϕ,β‐limit dextrins were analyzed by high‐performance anion‐exchange chromatography. The ϕ,β‐limit dextrins reflected amylopectin internal chain profiles. The amylopectins had average chain lengths ranging from 17.94 to 18.12. The ranges of external chain length, internal chain length, and total internal chain length of the millet amylopectins were 11.85–12.33, 4.75–5.09, and 11.64–12.28, respectively. The relative molar concentration of B‐chains in the amylopectins was close to 50% in all samples. Significant differences were, however, observed in the proportions of very short “fingerprint” B‐chains (B_fp, degree of polymerization 3–7) and the major group of short B‐chains (BS_major): foxtail and proso millets possessed high amounts of B_fp‐chains, whereas finger and pearl millets had higher amounts of BS_major‐chains, suggesting possible differences in the fine structure of the clusters and building blocks of the amylopectins. Millet amylopectin can be classified structurally as type 2.     

Effect of chelating and antioxidant agents on morphology and DNA methylation in freeze-drying rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) spermatozoa

Freeze-drying (FD) has been exhaustively tried in several mammalian species as an alternative technique to sperm cryopreservation, but few studies have been done in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The main objective of this study was to compare the protective effect of various antioxidants added to EDTA medium on structural and functional components of FD rabbit spermatozoa and on their status of global DNA methylation. FD media used were composed of basic FD medium (10 mM Tris-HCl buffer and 50 mM NaCl) supplemented with either 50 mM EDTA alone (EDTA) or added with 105 µM of rosmarinic acid (RA, EDTA-RA) or 10 µM of melatonin (MLT, EDTA-MLT). The effect of each medium on the preservation of FD spermatozoon structure was evaluated with light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Global DNA methylation was quantified in all FD sperm samples as well as in fresh spermatozoa. Morphologically, fracture points were evidenced in the neck, mid and principal piece of the spermatozoon tail. No differences in spermatozoon fracture points were evidenced among FD treatments: intact spermatozoa were the largest (p < .01) category, whereas the most frequent (p < .01) injury was the neck fracture, resulting in tailless heads. At SEM, the head of spermatozoa showed a well-conserved shape and intact membrane in all treatments. DNA methylation status was the same in all FD treatments. In conclusion, supplementation of EDTA, EDTA-RA and EDTA-MLT during FD preserved rabbit sperm morphological integrity and methylation status as well. Therefore, the difficulty of getting viable offspring using FD semen is likely unrelated to the impact of the lyophilization process on DNA methylation and morphology of lyophilized spermatozoa.     

Accumulation and distribution pattern of macro- and microelements and trace elements in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Chardonnay berries

This paper describes the accumulation pattern of 42 mineral elements in Vitis vinifera L. berries during development and ripening and their distribution in berry skin, seeds, and flesh around harvest time. Grape berries were sampled in two different vineyards with alkaline soil and analyzed using a ICP-MS. Although elemental amounts were significantly different in the grapes from the two vineyards, the accumulation pattern and percentage distribution in different parts of the berries were generally quite similar. Ba, Eu, Sr, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn accumulate prior to veraison. Al, Ce, Dy, Er, Ga, Gd, Ho, La, Nd, Pr, Sm, Sn, Zr, Th, Tm, U, Y, and Yb accumulate mainly prior to veraison but also during ripening. Ag, As, B, Cd, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ge, Hg, K, Li, Na, P, Rb, Sb, Se, and Tl accumulate progressively during growth and ripening. With regard to distribution, Ba, Ca, Eu, Fe, Mn, P, Sr, and Zn accumulate mainly in the seeds, Al, B, Ga, Sn, and the rare earths analyzed, except for Eu, accumulate mainly in the skin, and Ag, As, Cd, Cs, Cu, Ge, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Na, Rb, Sb, Se, Th, Tl, U, and Zr accumulate mainly in the flesh. A joint representation of the accumulation and distribution patterns for the elements in the berry is also given.     

Image-guided interventional procedures in the dog and cat

Medical imaging is essential for the diagnostic workup of many soft tissue and bone lesions in dogs and cats, but imaging modalities do not always allow the clinician to differentiate inflammatory or infectious conditions from neoplastic disorders. This review describes interventional procedures in dogs and cats for collection of samples for cytological or histopathological examinations under imaging guidance. It describes the indications and procedures for imaging-guided sampling, including ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging and fluoroscopy. US and CT are currently the modalities of choice in interventional imaging.     

Orthopedic implant of a polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and hydroxyapatite composite in cats

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tissue response to a 70% polyhydroxybutyrate and 30% hydroxyapatite composite in the form of a bone implant, placed intracortically in the distal metaphyseal of the right femur, and subcutaneous implants in cats. Samples of the composite were implanted subcutaneously in the dorsolumbar region and the distal metaphyseal region of the right femur of the animals. The study used 12 neutered adult mixed breed cats, weighing an average of 3.5kg. The cats were randomly divided into three groups: GI, GII and GIII, according to the length of the assessment period. The assessments of their subcutaneous and bone tissues were performed at 15, 30 and 45 days and at 30, 60 and 90 days, respectively. The subcutaneous and bone reactions to the composites were characterized by granulomatous inflammation with a predominance of macrophages and giant cells. The results showed that the composites triggered a chronic local inflammatory response, despite their clinical acceptance.     

Amaranth as a rich dietary source of β-sitosterol and other phytosterols

The analysis of 4 commonly available amaranth varieties (Amaranthus K343, RRC1011, K433, K432) revealed the presence of all three major phytosterols (beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmas-terol) with a total sterol content being several fold higher than those found in other studied plants. Substantial differences in total phytosterol content and beta-sitosterol content were found between the amaranth varieties. The most commonly cultivated amaranth variety in the United States, i.e., Amaranthus K343 was found to possess the highest levels of phytosterols of the varieties tested. The possibility of screening for superior amaranth varieties with various health properties is outlined.