Effect of local methods of preparation on the amino acid constituents of broad beans

Dried broad beans (Giza 1) were subjected to the different methods of preparation that are commonly used in Egypt. These methods include: 1) Germination, 2) Germination and boiling, which is the method commonly used to make ‘Nabet Soup’ and 3) Stewing, to make ‘Medammes’ the popular breakfast dish in Egypt and Middle East. Paper chromatography was used for the separation and identification of different amino acids in both dried and prepared broad beans. The amino acid analysis data were subjected to analysis of variance, and the t-test was applied to contrasts of different amino acids. The results indicated the presence of 17 amino acids in the hydrolyzates of both raw and germinated seeds. These amino acids were determined quantitatively except proline. It was clear from the results that cystine was destroyed completely by either boiling or stewing. The only amino acids that showed significant loss by germination were aspartic acid and alanine. Both boiling of the germinated seeds, and stewing caused significant loss in the amino acids lysine, arginine, aspartic aced, alanine, methionine and tryptophan. The higher temperature that was used in boiling the germinated seeds was found to have more destroying effect on some amino acids than stewing. The amino acids scores showed the sulfur containing amino acids to be the first limiting amino acid in both hard and prepared broad beans.     

Uterine Humoral and Cellular Immune Response in Some Cases of Genital Disorders in Buffaloes

Contents: Investigations were performed to determine I) Cyclic changes in uterine immune response of buffalo-cows that could be responsible for increased susceptibility of the diestrous uterus to infection, 2) The effect of some genital disorders on the immune response. The number and phagocytic capacity of uterine leucocytes as well as the immunoglobulin contents revealed significant cyclic variations. These parameters were obviously decreased in the uteri of buffalo with bilateral smooth inactive ovaries. On the other hand, marked increases were recorded in both uterine leucocyte counts and immunoglobulin contents in the uteri of buffalo with cystic ovarian disease, endometritis, pyometra and cervical retention cysts. Phagocytic capacity showed obvious increase in case of cystic ovarian disease while decreased in other studied disorders.     

Folate deficiency is associated with nutritional anaemia in Lebanese women of childbearing age

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify the determinants of anaemia in Lebanese women of childbearing age attending health centres in Lebanon. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study carried out between May and December 2003. Anthropometric measurements as well as sociodemographic, health and dietary intake data were collected using a questionnaire. Haemoglobin (Hb), plasma ferritin, plasma folate and vitamin B12 were assessed using standard laboratory methods. SETTING: Governmental health centres in Lebanon. SUBJECTS: Four hundred and seventy non-pregnant Lebanese women aged 15-45 years. RESULTS: Anaemia (Hb <12 g dl(-1)) and iron deficiency (ferritin <15 microg l(-1)) were prevalent in 16.0 and 27.2% of the study sample, respectively. Of the total sample, 7.7% had iron-deficiency anaemia. The percentage of women with either Hb or ferritin deficiency or both was 35.6%. Plasma folate and vitamin B12 deficiency was reported in 25.1 and 39.4%, respectively, and 12.6% of the women had both folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies. Of the anaemic group, 48.0% of the women had iron deficiency. The intake of iron was lower in iron-deficient than in non-deficient women and a positive relationship was shown between folate intake and its corresponding serum levels. Regression analysis showed that ferritin, plasma folate and family history of anaemia were significant determinants of the anaemia in the sample of women. CONCLUSIONS: Anaemia not related to iron deficiency was partly explained by plasma folate deficiency. Measures to control folate and iron deficiency should be considered.     

Isotope analyses of groundwaters of the north African plain

Isotope analyses of 36 groundwater samples were performed as part of an extensive hydrogeological study in Tripolitania, Libya. The stable isotope ratios ²H/¹H, ¹⁸O/¹⁶O, and ¹³C/¹²C, and the radioactive isotope ratios ³H/¹H and ¹⁴C/¹²C were measured which reflect mixing, vertical and horizontal flow as well as the individual recharge conditions of the various aquifers. The majority of water samples showed very low ¹⁴C as well as ³H concentrations corresponding to reliable conventional ¹⁴C ages exceeding 11,000 yrs. The results of the isotope analyses confirm, complete, and refine the hydrogeologically derived concepts of the study area.     

Peste des petits ruminants infection in domestic ruminants in Sudan

The existence of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in domestic ruminants and camels in Sudan during 2008–2012 was investigated. Lung tissues and serum samples were randomly collected from sheep, goats, cattle, and camels at different areas of Sudan. A total of 12,384 serum samples were collected from clinically healthy 7413 sheep, 1988 camels, 1501 cattle, 1459 goats, and 23 gazelles at different areas in the Sudan. They were examined for PPR antibodies using competitive ELISA (cELISA). The overall detected seroprevalence of PPR in tested sera was 49.4%; seroprevalence values within species were 67.1, 48.2, 25.8, 2.1, and 21.7% in sheep, goat, cattle, camels, and gazelles, respectively. The highest seroprevalence (68.1%) was observed in sera collected from Darfur states, then the central states (54.3%). A total of 1276 lung tissue samples (623 sheep, 324 cattle, 220 camels, and 109 goats) were collected. The majority of lung samples were collected from clinically healthy animals that showed lesions on PM in slaughterhouses (95%) and during PPR outbreaks; samples were tested for PPR antigen using immunocapture ELISA (IcELISA). PPR antigen was detected in 233 out of the 1276 tested samples (18.3%). Positive results were observed in samples collected from clinically healthy and diseased animals. The observed prevalence values in each species were 33.6, 21.1, 15.4, and 12.3% in camel, goat, sheep, and cattle, respectively. PPR antigen was detected in samples from different areas; however, the highest prevalence (63.9%) was found in samples collected from the eastern states, then Khartoum state (28%). Trials for virus isolation were done in different cell cultures. Out of 30 IcELISA-positive samples inoculated in primary bovine and ovine kidney cells, Vero cells, the PPR virus was successfully isolated from 15 (eight sheep, five camels, and two goats) samples in the three cell culture types. Using RT-PCR, PPRV nucleic acid was detected in all 25 IcELISA-positive tested samples.     

Evidence of an acute phase response in dogs naturally infected with Babesia canis

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell count (WBC), haematocrit (HCT) and platelet number (PLT) were quantified and compared with the acute phase proteins (APPs) in dogs naturally infected with Babesia canis and healthy dogs. Both groups were treated with imidocarb dipropionate on the day of admission and both groups were monitored for all parameters on the admission day and on the first, second, third, fourth and seventh days in order to determine the presence of an acute phase reaction, to assess the diagnostic value of these markers in uncomplicated canine babesiosis and to evaluate the use of APPs in treatment monitoring. It was demonstrated that an acute phase response occurs in dogs naturally infected with Babesia canis, with significant increases in the concentration of major acute phase proteins. The serum concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA) and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) decreased daily after treatment and approached reference range values by the eighth day. PLT and haematocrit (HCT) increased daily after treatment and approached reference range values by the fourth day. WBC and haptoglobin increased after treatment and then decreased from the third and fourth days, respectively, to the eighth day. The diagnostic sensitivity of CRP, SAA and PLT was significantly higher compared to haptoglobin, ESR, HCT and the WBC count. CRP and SAA were of clinical use in monitoring the response to antibabesial treatment.     

Leukocyte subsets and specific antibodies in pigs vaccinated with a classical swine fever subunit (E2) vaccine and the attenuated ORF virus strain D1701

Total white blood cell (WBC) counts and percentages of CD4a+, CD8a+, CD5a+, CD45RA+, CD45RC+, wCD21+ and SWC3a+ cells in the peripheral blood of pigs were analysed in this study. Blood samples were collected before and on days 4, 10, 21 and 28 after vaccination. Group 1 pigs were vaccinated with a subunit E2 vaccine (gp E2 32 microg/dose), and Group 2 received a subunit vaccine combined with an attenuated ORF virus strain D1701 10(6.45) TCID50/dose. Control pigs received a placebo. The total WBC count and percentage of particular cell types were within the normal range in vaccinated and control pigs. Although the mechanism of attenuated ORF virus activity is not clear, changes were observed in CD4a+, CD5a+, CD8a+, CD45RA+ and CD45RC+ cells in pigs that received the combination of a subunit vaccine and ORF virus. However, the percentage of wCD21+ and SWC3a+ did not differ significantly from that recorded in pigs given only the subunit vaccine. At days 4 and 10 the number of pigs positive to E2 antibodies was higher in the group that received the subunit vaccine and ORF virus than in pigs vaccinated with the subunit vaccine only. A higher percentage of memory cells (CD45RC+) as well as Th and Tc lymphocytes in pigs that received the ORF virus and the subunit vaccine could be ascribed to a nonspecific influence of the ORF virus on the development (through cognate interactions between T and B cells) and the duration (presumed according to the finding of the clonal expression of memory cells) of humoral immunity (assessed by a higher number of seropositive pigs in this group). This seems likely since the proportion of these cells was found to be lower in the pigs that received E2 vaccine only.     

Hydrolysis of glycoalkaloids fromSolanum tuberosum L. haulm by enzymes present in plant material and by enzyme preparation

Summary This paper deals with the kinetics of enzymatic hydrolysis of glycoalkaloids from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) haulm. The hydrolysis was carried out by the action of the enzymes present in fresh haulm, juice of fresh haulm and in haulm dried at various temperatures. The highest degree of enzymatic hydrolysis of 90% was obtained during fermentation of haulm dried at 40 °C after 30 h incubation time. The enzyme preparation was obtained from the juice of fresh potato haulm by using capillary dialysator HM 16 (AQM 1681, 1.6 m² Hemofan 8 υ). The best degree of enzymatic hydrolysis by enzyme preparation, 68%, was achieved after 20 h time of incubation. The enzyme preparation from juice of fresh haulm was characterized by K_m of 0.70 mM at pH 5.5 and 35 °C.     

Impact of VAM on phosphorus nutrition of maize with low soluble phosphate fertilization

In a greenhouse pot experiment, maize was grown inoculated with the spores of the VAM fungi Glomus mosseae and Glomas multicaulis or non‐inoculated. Low soluble ferrous phosphate (FePO₄.₄H₂O) was added to the mycorrhized and non‐mycorrhized maize. The fresh and dry weights of mycorrhized plants with added phosphate (P) were higher than in mycorrhized plants without added P or non‐mycorrhized plants with added P. The amount of P in the soil samples from pots with mycorrhizal plants fertilized with P was evidently smaller than those in samples also fertilized non‐mycorrhizal plants. The percentage of P was higher in tissues of fertilized mycorrhizal plants than in those mycorrhized plants without or non‐mycorrhized plants with added low‐ soluble P. These results indicated that plants in VAM symbiosis mobilize P better from low‐soluble P than non‐mycorrhized plants.     

Morphological and physiological evaluation of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L., 1758) fed extruded compound feeds containing different fat levels

The study was carried out to examine morphological and physiological effects of different levels of fat in compound extruded feed for carp. A 90 days experiment was performed in tanks with water flow 0.34 L min^?1, stocked each with 29 specimens of carp, average weight 15.4 ± 4.2 g. The fish was fed 3 diets containing 38 % protein and 8, 12 or 16 % of fat (feed L8, L12, and L16, respectively). Body weight gain, specific growth rate, food conversion ratio, feed efficiency ratio, condition factor, liver and intestine histology and morphometry and some blood biochemical parameters were analysed. At the end of the experiment, a difference was established between the fish fed L8 feed compared to carp fed L12 and L16 feed for all growth parameters. For several other parameters, nuclear area of hepatocytes, nuclear/cytoplasm ratio, enterocytes height and intestinal folds’ length, a difference between carp fed feed L8 compared to feed L16 was found. The histological analysis revealed that normal structure of the liver and intestine prevailed, but changes were observed regardless of the diet type. In the hepatopancreas, more prominent changes were found around pancreatic tissue—particularly, increased number and size of adipocytes. Although blood biochemical parameters were within normal values, a difference between L8 and L16 diet-fed carp was found for plasma levels of triglycerides and total proteins. According to the results obtained in this study, the best results were achieved using a feed with 8 % fat.