The effect of cooking methods on the lipid composition of potatoes

The effect of boiling and baking in either a convential or microwave oven on the lipid content of potatoes was investigated. The crude lipid content of potatoes was lowered significantly by all methods of cooking. The loss was highest in potatoes cooked in a microwave oven, least in boiled tubers, and intermediate in tubers baked in a conventional oven. Similar trends were observed for both cortex and pith tissues. Generally, the phospholipid content followed the same trend as the crude lipid, the exception being the cortex tissue of tubers baked in the conventional oven, in which the greatest loss of phospholipid occurred. Cooking did not significantly alter the fatty acid composition of tubers. A possible relationship between the degree of cell rupturing, known to be influenced by different mechanisms of heat transfer, and the amounts of tuber lipid associated with different cooking methods was discussed.     

Damselfish as keystone species in reverse: intermediate disturbance and diversity of reef algae

Substrates located within the defended territories of Hawaiian damselfish for 1 year were subjected to intermediate grazing intensity and, as a result, showed greater diversity of algae than substrates either protected within fish-exclusion cages or exposed to intense fish grazing outside territories. Thus, this damselfish enhances local diversity on reefs through "intermediate-disturbance" effects, and is a keystone species that decreases rather than increases overall predation intensity relative to areas where it is absent.     

Influence of Phytohemagglutinin on the Agronomic Performance of Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The abundant lectin phytohemagglutinin (10 % of total seed protein) does not contain sulfur amino acids and, being a potent antimetabolite, it is responsible for the lowering of the nutritional value of bean seeds. The aim of the present work was to improve the dry bean cultivar ‘Taylor's Horticultural’ (Asgrow), by genetically introducing the lectin null (lec/lec) character from two null genotypes: ‘Pinto UI 111’ and ‘Heidi’. Thirty-seven BC²F₃ and fourteen BC₆F₅ inbred lines were evaluated in agronomical trials. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed significant differences among BC₂F₃ breedings lines for all traits under evaluation. Comparison of the LedLee genotypes versus lec/lec did not show statistically significant differences in the means for the following traits: yield, yield components and percentage of protein in the seed. Fourteen BC6F5 lines, compared together with their recurrent parent ‘Taylor's Horticultural’, showed significant differences among genotypes for 1000 seed weight, protein percentage on dry matter and ash percentage. No significant differences were observed for grain yield. The data indicate that lectin removal did not have a detrimental effect on the traits evaluated.     

Uterine leiomyomas in two Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs (Sus scrofa)

Two Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs (Sus scrofa) were euthanatized after they developed abdominal distension. Necropsy of both pigs revealed large myometrial neoplasms and cystic endometrial hyperplasia. Multiple discrete smaller myometrial neoplasms were also observed in one pig; however, distant metastases were not observed in either animal. The tumors were diagnosed as leiomyomas on the basis of histologic examination and immunohistochemistry. This is the first detailed report of uterine leiomyomas in swine, and it is suggested that this diagnosis may become more common as more aging pigs are examined.     

不同性别生长猪所需最佳苏氨酸与赖氨酸比率

本研究通过调查苏氨酸与赖氨酸的比率对猪生长性能、表观可消化能和血液尿素氮 (BUN)浓度的影响 , 估测生长阉公猪和小母猪所需最佳苏氨酸与赖氨酸的比率 . 试验采用 150头杂交猪 (长白×约克夏×杜洛克 , 平均体重为 16.75± 0.45 , 其中阉公猪 75头 , 小母猪 75头 ), 按 2× 3析因设计 , 随机分成 6个处理 阉公猪日粮含赖氨酸 1.12% , 按苏氨酸与赖氨 酸比率为 50% 、 60% 和 70% 分成 3个处理 小母猪日粮含赖氨酸 1.33% , 按苏氨酸与赖氨酸比 率为 50% 、 60% 和 70% 分成 3个处理 . 经整个试验期 (体重从 16至 56 ). 在平均日增重、平均 日采食量和饲料转化率方面 , 动物性别和苏氨酸与赖氨酸比率之间无相互影响 . 在生长性能 方面 , 有明显的性别影响 与小母猪相比 , 阉公猪表现出较好的生长性能 , 消耗较多的饲料 (P< 0.01)以及生长的较快 (P< 0.01). 随着苏氨酸与赖氨酸比率的增大 , 阉公猪的 ADG和 FCR有增加的倾向 , 但差异不显著 . 在除粗灰分 (CA)外的可消化性养分方面 , 动物性别和苏氨 酸与赖氨酸比率之间无相互影响 . 在性别之间 , 除小母猪对钙具有较高的可消化性 (P< 0.01)外 , 可消化性养分没有存在的差异 . 而日粮苏氨酸与赖氨酸比率对可消化性养分无影响 . 可消化性必需氨基酸 (EEA)、非必需氨基酸 (NEAA)和总氨基酸 (TTA)的平均值没有受到性别 和苏氨酸与赖氨酸比率的影响 . 没有发现性别和日粮中苏氨酸与赖氨酸比率相互影响的证据 . 在性别之间 , 小母猪的总 BUN浓度比阉公猪低 (P< 0.05). 可以得出结论 " 阉公猪日粮 (赖氨 酸水平为 1.12% )中 , 苏氨酸与赖氨酸比率为 70% , 小母猪日粮 (赖氨酸水平为 1.33% )中 , 苏 氨酸与赖氨酸比率为 60% , 较其它比率的苏氨酸与赖氨酸 , 分别获得较好的生长性能、养分 利用和较低的 BUN浓度 .     

Development. Endothelium--chicken soup for the endoderm

Endothelial cells in blood vessels are known to be important during the later stages of organ development in the embryo. However, their involvement at the induction stage of organ formation has not been previously documented. As Bahary and Zon explain in their Perspective, new work demonstrates that endothelial cells secrete factors early in development that induce embryonic endoderm to become liver or pancreas (Matsumoto et al., Lammert et al.).     

Clinical features of dilated cardiomyopathy in Great Danes and results of a pedigree analysis: 17 cases (1990-2000)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical features of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Great Danes and to determine whether DCM is familial in this breed. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 17 Great Danes with DCM. PROCEDURE: Medical records of Great Danes in which DCM was diagnosed on the basis of results of echocardiography (fractional shortening < 25%, end-systolic volume index > 30 ml/m2 of body surface area) were reviewed. Pedigrees were obtained for affected animals, as well as for other Great Danes in which DCM had been diagnosed. RESULTS: Dilated cardiomyopathy appeared to be familial and was characterized by ventricular dilatation, congestive heart failure (left-sided or biventricular), and atrial fibrillation. Pedigree analysis suggested that DCM was inherited as an X-linked recessive trait, but the mode of inheritance could not be definitively identified. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that DCM may be an X-linked recessive trait in Great Danes. Thus, dogs with DCM probably should not be used for breeding, and female offspring of affected dogs should be used cautiously. Male offspring of affected females are at an increased risk of developing DCM and should be evaluated periodically for early signs of disease. Results of pedigree analysis were preliminary and should be used only as a guide for counseling breeders, rather than as a basis for making breeding decisions.