Ellagitannins,flavonoids, and other phenolics in red raspberries and their contribution to antioxidant capacity and vasorelaxation properties

Analysis of extracts of Glen Ample raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) by gradient, reverse phase HPLC with diode array and tandem mass spectrometry identified eleven anthocyanins, including cyanidin-3-sophoroside, cyanidin-3-(2(G)-glucosylrutinoside), cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, pelargonidin-3-sophoroside, pelargonidin-3-(2(G)-glucosylrutinoside), and pelargonidin-3-glucoside. Significant quantities of an ellagitannin, sanguiin H-6, with an M(r) of 1870 were detected along with lower levels of a second ellagitannin, lambertianin C, which has an M(r) of 2804. Other phenolic compounds that were detected included trace levels of ellagic acid and its sugar conjugates along with one kaempferol- and four quercetin-based flavonol conjugates. Fractionation by preparative HPLC revealed that sanguiin H-6 was a major contributor to the antioxidant capacity of raspberries together with vitamin C and the anthocyanins. Vasodilation activity was restricted to fractions containing lambertianin C and sanguiin H-6.     

Quantitation of odor-active compounds in rye flour and rye sourdough using stable isotope dilution assays

Application of the aroma extract dilution analysis on a flavor distillate prepared from freshly ground rye flour (type 1150) revealed 1-octen-3-one (mushroom-like), methional (cooked potato), and (E)-2-nonenal (fatty, green) with the highest flavor dilution (FD) factors among the 26 odor-active volatiles identified. Quantitative measurements performed by stable isotope dilution assays and a comparison to the odor thresholds of selected odorants in starch suggested methional, (E)-2-nonenal, and hexanal as contributors to the flour aroma, because their concentrations exceeded their odor thresholds by factors >100. Application of the same approach on a rye sourdough prepared from the same batch of flour revealed 3-methylbutanal, vanillin, 3-methylbutanoic acid, methional, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, 2,3-butanedione, and acetic acid as important odorants; their concentrations exceeded their odor thresholds in water and starch by factors >100. A comparison of the concentrations of 20 odorants in rye flour and the sourdough made therefrom indicated that flour, besides the fermentation process, is an important source of aroma compounds in dough. However, 3-methylbutanol, acetic acid, and 2,3-butanedione were much increased during fermentation, whereas (E,E)-2,4-decadienal and 2-methylbutanal were decreased. Similar results were obtained for five different flours and sourdoughs, respectively, although the amounts of some odorants in the flour and the sourdough differed significantly within batches.     

Ferric pseudobactin 358 as an iron source for carnation

The influence of the siderophore produced by plant growth‐promoting Pseudomonas putida strain WCS358, pseudobactin 358 (PSB358), on chlorophyll synthesis and iron(III) reduction in carnation cultivars Lena and Pallas grown in hydroponics was studied. Ferric pseudobactin 358 (4 μM) stimulated chlorophyll synthesis in cv. Lena, but not in cv. Pallas. FeEDDHA stimulated chlorophyll synthesis in both cultivars. Differences between the two carnation cultivars in the utilization of FePSB358 as an iron source are correlated with differences in iron efficiency reactions of the two cultivars: Fe‐deficient plants of cv. Lena produced more and longer root hairs than Fe‐deficient plants of cv. Pallas, and the ferric reducing activity of cv. Lena was higher than that of cv. Pallas.     

Soil nematode populations beneath faeces from reindeer treated with ivermectin

Abstract

The size and composition of the nematode assemblage in soil beneath faecal material derived from reindeer treated with ivermectin oral, or ivermectin subcutaneous formulations in early winter in northern Finland, was studied over a two-year period. This study was performed on both ungrazed and grazed areas that typify the reindeer habitat of the region and comparisons were also made with soil nematodes recovered from soils receiving untreated faecal material. Although significant differences in numbers of soil nematode fauna were observed between treatments on individual occasions, none of the differences occurred consistently with treatment, or with time. These results showed no adverse environmental impact of the faeces of reindeer given either formulation of ivermectin in early winter on soil nematode communities in subsequent years.     

QTL for IHNV resistance and growth identified in a rainbow (Oncorhynchus mykiss) × Yellowstone cutthroat (Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri) trout cross

Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) is a major constraint to rainbow trout culture. Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri) have greater resistance to this virus than do rainbow trout (O. mykiss), but the genetic mechanism of this resistance is not understood. We conducted a genome scan using a backcross of cutthroat trout into a rainbow trout background to estimate the number and locations of quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with IHNV resistance and growth in trout. IHNV resistance was considered in terms of both survival (binary trait) and days to death (quantitative trait). The genetic map was scanned using interval mapping via two different approaches: one model considered survival alone and a second two-part model combined both survival and days to death. Three QTL were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) associated with virus resistance genome-wide, explaining 32.5% of the phenotypic variation. Cutthroat alleles at two of these QTL resulted in increased resistance to the pathogen, as expected. No growth QTL were detected in this cross. We suggest that these traits are genetically independent.     

Treatment of traumatic cervical myelopathy with surgery, prolonged positive-pressure ventilation, and physical therapy in a dog

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 9-year-old dog was evaluated for traumatic cervical myelopathy after a surgical attempt to realign and stabilize the C2 and C3 vertebrae. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The dog could not ventilate spontaneously and was tetraplegic; positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) was maintained. Myelography and computed tomography revealed spinal cord compression with subluxation of the C2 and C3 vertebrae and extrusion of the C2-3 intervertebral disk. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Surgically, the protruding disk material was removed and the vertebrae were realigned with screws and wire. For PPV, assist control ventilation in volume control mode and then in pressure control mode was used in the first 6 days; this was followed by synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation until 33 days after the injury; then only continuous positive airway pressure was provided until the dog could breathe unassisted, 37 days after the injury. Physical therapy that included passive range of motion exercises, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and functional weight-bearing positions was administered until the dog was discharged 46 days after injury; the dog was severely ataxic and tetraparetic but could walk. Therapy was continued at home, and 1 year later, the dog could run and had moderate ataxia and tetraparesis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Hypoventilation with tetraparesis in traumatic spinal cord injury can be successfully treated with PPV exceeding 30 days, surgery, and physical therapy.     

Endotoxin-neutralizing activity of polymyxin B in blood after IV administration in horses

OBJECTIVES: To measure serum polymyxin B concentration after single and repeated IV infusions in horses. ANIMALS: 5 healthy horses. PROCEDURES: In study 1, 1 mg (6,000 U) of polymyxin B/kg was given IV and blood samples were collected for 24 hours. In study 2, 1 mg of polymyxin B/kg was given IV every 8 hours for 5 treatments and blood samples were collected until 24 hours after the last dose. Polymyxin B concentration was measured as the ability to suppress nitrite production by murine macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide and interferon-alpha. Urine was collected prior to the first drug infusion and 24 hours after the fifth drug infusion for determination of urinary gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)-to-creatinine ratios. RESULTS: In study 1, mean +/- SEM maximal serum polymyxin B concentration was 2.93 +/- 0.38 microg/mL. Polymyxin B was undetectable 18 hours after infusion. In study 2, maximal polymyxin B concentrations after the first and fifth doses were 2.98 +/- 0.81 microg/mL and 1.91 +/- 0.50 microg/mL, respectively. Mean trough concentration for all doses was 0.22 +/- 0.01 microg/mL. A significant effect of repeated administration on peak and trough serum concentration was not detected. Urine GGT-to-creatinine ratios were not affected by polymyxin B administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Polymyxin B given as multiple infusions to healthy horses by use of this protocol did not accumulate in the vascular compartment and appeared safe. Results support repeated IV use of 1 mg of polymyxin B/kg at 8-hour intervals as treatment for endotoxemia.