Effect of texturing on porosity and critical dissolution time of polyamide 6.6 multifilaments

The anomalous behaviour of polyamide 6.6 fibres textured by false twist to different physico-chemical techniques (as the critical dissolution time, CDT), compared with those obtained in polyester fibres, was attributed to a cracking of the surface and/or to an increase in fibre porosity. This cracking appears when original fibre is treated at high temperature and it is due to the breakage of the skin/core structure of polyamide 6.6. This cracking has been demonstrated by the determination of drying kinetics in a thermogravimetric test that has been developed for this fibre.     

Phaseolus vulgaris L. Leaves Increase Short-Chain Fatty Acid (SCFA) Production,Ameliorating Early Metabolic Alterations

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - High-fat/high-fructose diets promote early metabolic disorders in weight and lipid and glucose metabolism. Bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and fiber...     

Phosphorus Fractions Transformation in Sediments Before and After Cyanobacterial Bloom: Implications for Reduction of Eutrophication Symptoms in Dam Reservoir

In order to observe the spatial phosphorus (P) fractions transformations in sediments in relation to bacterial abundance and enzyme hydrolysing organic P-alkaline phosphatase (APA), samples from 35 stations from eutrophic Sulejow Reservoir were taken in spring after flood and in summer after cyanobacterial bloom breakdown. The results show pronounced fluctuations: decrease of average total P in sediments, despite organic matter delivery after cyanobacterial bloom, in parallel with increase of labile P (8.3%) and Ca-bounded P (16.6%) fractions and decline of organic P fraction (28.5%). Higher alkaline activity in sediments in the spring delivered nutrients to water column and supported cyanobacterial bloom development during the summer. Positive correlation between APA and organic P (r?=?0.37, p?<?0.01, n?=?70) and negative with labile inorganic P (r?=??0.44, p?<?0.01, n?=?70) in sediments proved significant role of the APA in phosphorus transformation in sediments and internal loading in the reservoir. During summer, APA was significantly related to bacterial number (r?=?0.36, p?<?0.01, n?=?35) and bacterial abundance was correlated to organic matter content (r?=?0.36, p?<?0.01, n?=?35). Such pattern of temporal variations of P transformation in sediments indicates order of solutions for enhancement of recultivation effects of eutrophic dam reservoirs: (1) reduction of organic matter supply in spring and (2) sediment inactivation during summer.     

Estimated Quantities and Trends of Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury in US Municipal Solid Waste Based on Analysis of Incinerator Ash

The degradation of diethyl phthalate (DEP) in aqueous solution by titanium dioxide (TiO₂) photocatalysis has been investigated in our research. DEP was completely removed in the solution by 50-min irradiation. Results show that DEP degradation rate was affected by initial DEP concentration, photocatalyst amount, light intensity, and pH. Photocatalytic degradation intermediates were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry intermediates were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major intermediates are methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, and carboxylic derivatives. The photocatalytic degradation process was found to obey first-order reaction. Consequently, the result of photocatalytic degradation could be an efficient method of DEP removal from wastewater.     

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in dairy goats from Romania

Little information is available about the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in goats in Romania and even in Europe. During 2007-2010, 735 serum samples were collected from dairy goats located in 4 historical regions (Cri?ana, Maramure?, Transylvania and Muntenia) of Romania. Sera were analyzed for T. gondii and N. caninum antibodies (IgG type) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using two commercial kits (Chekit Toxotest Antibody ELISA and Chekit Neospora caninum Antibody ELISA; Idexx-Bommeli, Switzerland). Three hundred and eighty-eight out of 735 (52.8%) goats presented T. gondii antibodies and 12 out of 512 (2.3%) goats had N. caninum antibodies. The high seroprevalence of T. gondii suggests that infection with this parasite is common in dairy goats in Romania, and less common the infection with N. caninum. This is the first time that infection with N. caninum in goats has been reported in Romania and the first extended study on seroepidemiology of T. gondii.     

Molecular identification of Echinococcus granulosus genotypes (G1 and G7) isolated from pigs in Mexico

With the aim of genotyping Echinococcus granulosus cysts found in Mexican livestock, we collected hydatid cysts from the livers and lungs of pigs in slaughterhouses in the state of Morelos, Central Region of Mexico. DNA was extracted from the parasites and examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of rDNA internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1-PCR), Eg9-PCR, Eg16-PCR, and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). In addition, fragments of the genes coding for mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) and NADH dehydrogenase 1 (ND1) were sequenced. Two different genotypes of E. granulosus were unequivocally identified, the common sheep genotype, G1, and the common pig genotype, G7. The G1 genotype of E. granulosus has not been previously demonstrated in Mexico. Because of its recognized infectivity in humans, G1 genotype is a direct threat to human health and its presence in Mexico is consequently of immediate public health importance and epidemiological relevance.     

Cortisol response to road transport stress in calm and nervous stallions

Cortisol may be useful as a marker in predicting how an animal will respond to stressful stimuli, thus providing information on animal's temperament. To quantify the level of transport stress and the effect of temperament on the adrenocortical response, the change in circulating cortisol levels was evaluated in 84 healthy experienced thoroughbred and crossbred stallions, mean age 11.4 ± 4.5 years old, after road transport in a commercial trailer (6 horses per load, stocking density: 2 m²/horse), over mean distances of 210 ± 11.8 km for about 3 hours. Several experienced caretakers were asked to complete 2 questionnaires, one that used a 5-point scale to subjectively evaluate temperament and another that used a 3-point scale to assess tendencies in response to ordinary care and daily management. The scores for the latter were defined as follows: a score of 1 indicated that the horse had never or rarely troubled the caretaker during management, 2 occasionally, and 3 usually. On this basis, the subjects were distinguished between calm and nervous stallions. Blood samples were taken same daytime (8.00 am), in single box, immediately before loading, then after transport and unloading. Serum cortisol concentrations were analyzed in duplicate by immunoenzymatic assay. Compared with basal levels, cortisol increases were observed in both calm (P < 0.001) and nervous (P < 0.05) stallions after transport. Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed significant effects of transport on cortisol changes (P < 0.001). Nervous subjects showed lower (P < 0.01) cortisol levels than did calm subjects after transport, and basal cortisol levels did not differ between calm and nervous subjects. No significant differences (P > 0.05) between different age, breed, and orientation were detected.The results showed that temperament could influence the adrenocortical responses of stallions after short-term transportation. The presence of the same staff for handling, loading, confinement, and unloading, the same veterinarian taking all blood samples, and the presence of cospecifics did not reduce the response to short transport stress both in calm and nervous stallions already accustomed to transport. Lower cortisol concentrations in nervous subjects might be because of failure of the adrenal cortex to respond normally to transport stress. Moreover, signs of transport stress were less pronounced in nervous stallions.     

Antiradical efficiency of Maillard reaction mixtures in a hydrophilic media

The Maillard reaction (MR) has a clear impact in food science, nutrition, and medical research. Free radical scavenging capacities of several MR mixtures made from single combinations of glucose or lactose and amino acids (gly, his, lys, trp, met, and cys) were evaluated by using the N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine radical cation assay. Medium-roasted coffee brew was used as reference of a thermally processed food. A novel approach has been applied in order to get more information about the kinetic behavior of the radical scavenging properties of MR mixtures in a watery environment. Antiradical efficiency (AE) concept has been applied, and it takes into consideration the reaction time, apart from the amount of antioxidant necessary to decrease by 50% the radical initial concentration (EC(50)). Cysteine and histidine reveal as powerful amino acids to exert a high AE in the MR mixtures. No relationship between AE parameter and browning was observed.