Effects of Annealing and Concentration of Calcium Salts on Thermal and Rheological Properties of Maize Starch During an Ecological Nixtamalization Process

The objective of the present work was to study the effect of annealing and concentration of Ca(OH)₂ (lime) and calcium salts on the thermal and rheological properties of maize starch during an ecological nixtamalization process. Thermal and rheological properties of maize starch changed during the ecological nixtamalization process because of three main causes: the annealing phenomenon, type of calcium salt, and calcium salt concentration. In all treatments thermal properties (T_o, T_p, and T_f) of nixtamal starch increased owing to the annealing process, whereas the type of salt or lime increased thermal properties and decreased pasting properties in this order: CaCl₂ > CaSO₄ > Ca(OH)₂ ≈ CaCO₃. This behavior was because of the dissociation of each salt or lime in water. Anions (OH⁻) can penetrate much more easily into the starch granule and start the gelatinization process by rupturing hydrogen bonds. Additionally, amylose‐lipid complexes were formed during the nixtamalization processes, as indicated by an increasing peak at 4.5 Å in X‐ray diffraction patterns.     

Genetic manipulation of proline accumulation influences the concentrations of other amino acids in soybean subjected to simultaneous drought and heat stress

The effect of simultaneous drought and heat stress on free amino acid levels was compared in wild type and transgenic soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr cv Ibis) plants transformed with the cDNA coding for the last enzyme of Pro biosynthesis, l-Delta(1)-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (EC 1.5.1.2), in sense and antisense directions. The most rapid increase in Pro content was found in the sense transformants that exhibited the least water loss, while the slowest elevation of Pro levels was detected in the antisense transformants that exhibited the greatest water loss during stress. Correspondingly, the level of the Pro precursors Glu and Arg was higher in sense transformants and lower in antisense ones compared to the wild type plants during the initial part of the stress. Interestingly, genetic manipulation of Pro levels also affected the stress-induced changes in the concentration of several other amino acids, which indicates the coordinated regulation of their metabolic pathways.     

甲胺磷、90-消毒剂对欧洲鳗仔鳗的急性毒性作用

采用静水实验法进行甲胺磷乳剂,９０－消毒剂对欧洲鳗仔鳗急性毒性试验研究。结果表明：在试验浓度３２－５６ｍｇ／Ｌ范围内,欧洲鳗仔鳗中毒死亡发生在３０－４４ｈ,对甲胺磷乳剂急性中毒死亡的时间集中且持续短促;甲胺磷乳剂对欧洲鳗仔鳗的半致死浓度为３５．９ｍｇ／Ｌ,安全浓度为３．６ｍｇ／Ｌ。     

棉酚对奶牛胎儿发育毒性的研究

用棉酚含量４．０ ｇ／ｋｇ 的棉籽饼以每头０．５ ｋｇ／ｄ 饲喂怀孕奶牛３５ ｄ,研究棉酚对奶牛胎儿发育的影响。结果表明,在开始饲喂后１４～４６ ｄ 的流产率为９．１％ （１７／１８６）;中毒的妊娠奶牛平均怀孕期为（２７５．７５±５．２１） ｄ （ｎ＝ １４０）,其所产的犊牛平均初生质量为（３５．２７±５．２３） ｋｇ （ｎ＝ １４０）,与１９９１ 和１９９３ 年同期相比较,平均怀孕期缩短２～３ ｄ,初生犊牛平均质量降低３．７０ ｋｇ;活产母犊到６ 月龄和２４ 月龄时,淘汰率分别为３９．７％ （２７／６８）和８５． ３％ （５８／６８）,６ 月龄时平均质量为（１４６．６±３３．８） ｋｇ （ｎ＝ ４５）,平均日增质量为（０．６２±０．２０） ｋｇ （ｎ＝ ４５）,分别比１９９１ 和１９９３ 年的平均值降低３４．５ 和０．１７ ｋｇ     

Two new species of Clestobothrium (Cestoda: Bothriocephalidea), parasites of Merluccius australis and m. hubbsi (Gadiformes: Merlucciidae) from the Patagonian shelf of Argentina, with comments on Clestobothrium crassiceps (Rudolphi, 1819)

Abstract: Two new species of bothriocephalidean cestodes, Clestobothrium splendidum sp. n. from Merluccius australis (Hutton) and Clestobothrium cristinae sp. n. from Merluccius hubbsi Marini from the Patagonian shelf of Argentina, are described. Clestobothrium splendidum can be typified by the following characteristics: a medium-sized strobila composed of410-528 proglottides that are much wider than long; 49-90 testes per mature proglottis, partially surrounding the ovary posteriorly; a transversely elongated genital pore situated anterior to spurious articulations; presence of a genital atrium; a globular cirrus-sac occupying 4-6% of mature proglottis width; a vagina with sphincter and three pairs of osmoregulatory canals on each side of the proglottis. Clestobothrium cristinae is characterised by its small size; 71-219 proglottides; 39-64 testes per mature proglottis, usually surrounding completely the ovary posteriorly; a rounded genital pore situated at the same level of spurious articulations; an oval cirrus-sac occupying 8-16% of mature proglottis width; and three pairs of osmoregulatory canals on each side of the proglottis. Clestobothrium cristinae shares with C. splendidum the type and distribution of microtriches, except for the central surface delimited by two lips. Additionally, type and voucher materials of Clestobothrium crassiceps (Rudolphi, 1819) from Merluccius merluccius were studied. A key to species is provided.     

Co-infection with Mycoplasma haemofelis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' in three cats from Brazil

The two most common haemotropic Mycoplasma of cats, Mycoplasma haemofelis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' have been identified using molecular techniques in all continents, except Antarctica. We report the first molecular characterization in South America of a dual infection with M haemofelis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' in three domestic cats. The 16S ribosomal RNA gene was amplified in three anaemic cats in which haemoplasma organisms were seen attached to the erythrocytes in the peripheral blood smear. Bands of the expected size for M haemofelis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' were observed in all three cats. The 393 bp segment of one of the amplicons had a similarity value of 100% to M haemofelis, whereas the other amplicon, a 192 bp segment, was 100% similar to 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum'. After diagnosis, two cats received blood transfusion and they were all treated with doxycycline. All three cats recovered uneventfully.     

转基因小麦1Dx5基因沉默的遗传表达和品质效应分析

为了明确通过RNA干扰技术（RNAi）获得的转基因小麦品系“Glu1Dx5RNAi”中1Dx5基因的遗传规律,以“Glu1Dx5RNAi”为供体亲本,以弱筋品种扬麦18和扬麦13为轮回亲本进行回交, 采用半籽粒SDSPAGE法检测亲本、F₁、F₂和BC₁F₁籽粒的高分子量谷蛋白亚基（HMWGS）组成。结果表明,1Dx5基因的沉默效应在杂交后代中表现为显性遗传,在F₂和BC₁F₁世代1Dx5亚基不表达的种子数与1Dx5亚基表达的种子数的比例分别符合13∶3和3∶1的分离比例,说明转小RNA基因导致1Dx5基因沉默是单基因显性遗传。对转基因小麦“Glu1Dx5RNAi”及其受体品种Bobwhite进行品质测试表明,Glu1Dx5RNAi蛋白质含量（13.28%）比转化受体Bobwhite（12.83%）高0.45个百分点,硬度指数、微量SDS沉降值比受体品种分别降低3.13和3.7 mL。1Dx5基因沉默对弱筋小麦育种可能会有一定的利用价值。     

Adherence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 to swine buccal epithelial cells involves fibronectin

The swine pathogen Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 was investigated for its ability to adhere to swine, rat, and human buccal epithelial cells (BEC). The highest number of bacteria adhered was to swine BEC. This binding ability was affected by heating, extreme pH, treatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate, ethylenediamine tetraacetate, or periodate, and proteolysis, suggesting that cell-surface glycoproteins participate in adherence and that adherence is based mostly on ionic interactions. Mannose and swine fibronectin may play a direct role in this interaction. Convalescent-phase serum from naturally infected pigs inhibited the adhesion. There was a correlation between bacterial pathogenicity as well as host specificity and the capacity for adherence to swine BEC. Adhesion to swine BEC provides a convenient method to study in vitro the adherence of A. pleuropneumoniae and other pathogens of the pig respiratory tract.     

A comparison of the uterine proteome of mares in oestrus and dioestrus

Proteomic analysis of mare uterine flush fluid provides a minimally invasive technique for studying protein changes associated with the oestrous cycle. The aim of this study was to identify differentially abundant proteins in the uterine flush fluid of mares in oestrus and dioestrus. In this study, uterine flush fluid samples were collected from eight reproductively healthy mares in either oestrus (n = 5) or dioestrus (n = 3). Proteomic analysis was performed using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. Of 172 proteins identified, six proteins (immunoglobulin lambda‐like polypeptide 1, haemoglobin subunit alpha, alpha‐1B‐glycoprotein, serotransferrin, apolipoprotein A‐1, and haemoglobin subunit beta) were significantly more abundant in oestrus. These proteins may contribute to the endometrial defence system through roles in inflammation, immunity or antimicrobial activity. In other species, some of these proteins have been described as immunoglobulins, negative acute phase proteins or defence agents against micro‐organisms. During dioestrus, immunoglobulin alpha‐1 chain C region‐related, complement factor I, CD 109 antigen and uterocalin, were significantly more abundant. Research in other species suggests that these four proteins contribute to the immune response through proposed immunoregulatory characteristics, complement system involvement or roles in B cell–T cell interactions. In conclusion, ten differentially abundant proteins were identified in the uterine flush fluid of mares in oestrus and dioestrus. Targeted studies on these proteins could elucidate their role in uterine defence mechanisms during the oestrous cycle in the mare.     

Chemical Characterization and Release of Polyphenols from Pecan Nut Shell [<Emphasis Type="Italic">Carya illinoinensis</Emphasis> (Wangenh) C. Koch] in Zein Microparticles for Bioactive Applications

The pecan nut [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh) C. Koch] is a natural source of polyphenols with antioxidant properties. In this study, the encapsulation of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of pecan nut shell were evaluated for the release of bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential in order to explore food applications using zein as encapsulating agent. The extracts showed high contents of total phenolics, condensed tannins and high antioxidant activity. Concentrations of proanthocyanidins were 9-fold higher in hydroalcoholic extracts. The LC-DAD analysis showed that catechins were the major phenolic compounds in samples, with epigallocatechin levels up to 138.62 mg mL^?1. Zein microparticles loaded with aqueous extract released 2.3 times more phenolic compounds than the hydroalcoholic extracts and the DSC thermograms showed that extracts of pecan nut shell remained thermally stable up to 240 °C. The zein microcapsules obtained in this study were efficiently encapsulated and represent an interesting additive due its high antioxidant capacity, physicochemical characteristics and morphology. The use of zein microparticles combined with natural extracts constitute a step forward in the improvement of current technology for delivering phenolic compounds with applications in functional foods and nutraceuticals.