Effect of High‐Molecular‐Weight Glutenin Subunit Allelic Composition on Wheat Flour Tortilla Quality

Wheat cultivars possessing quality attributes needed to produce optimum quality tortillas have not been identified. This study investigated the effect of variations in high‐molecular‐weight glutenin subunits encoded at the Glu‐1 loci (Glu‐A1, Glu‐B1, and Glu‐D1) on dough properties and tortilla quality. Flour protein profiles, dough texture, and tortilla physical quality attributes were evaluated. Deletion at Glu‐D1 resulted in reduced insoluble polymeric protein content of flour, reduced dough compression force, and large dough extensibility. These properties produced very large tortillas (181 mm diameter) compared with a control made with commercial tortilla wheat flour (161 mm). Presence of a 7 + 9 allelic pair at Glu‐B1 increased dough strength (largest compression force, reduced extensibility, and small‐diameter tortillas). Deletion at Glu‐A1 produced large tortillas (173 mm) but with unacceptable flexibility during storage (score <3.0 at day 16). In general, presence of 2* at Glu‐A1, in combination with 5 + 10 at Glu‐D1, produced small‐diameter tortillas that required large force to rupture (tough texture). Presence of 2 + 12 alleles instead of 5 + 10 at Glu‐D1 produced tortillas with a good compromise between diameter (>165 mm) and flexibility during storage (>3.0 at day 16). These allele combinations, along with deletion at Glu‐D1, show promise for tortilla wheat development.     

Stimulating and toxicity effects of nickel on growth,yield, and fruit quality of cucumber supplied with different nitrogen sources

Limited information is available on biological effects of various levels of nickel (Ni) (deficiency to toxicity levels) on growth and yield of certain crops, particularly vegetables. In this sand‐culture study, we investigated the effects of four levels of Ni (0, 50, 100, and 200 μM) on growth, yield, and fruit‐quality attributes of two cucumber cultivars (Cucumis sativus L. cvs. Super Dominus and Negin) supplied with urea or NH₄NO₃ as nitrogen source. Addition of 50 μM Ni to the nutrient solution resulted in a significant increase of shoot and root dry‐matter yield of cv. Negin although this increase was greater in the urea‐fed plants than those fed with NH₄NO₃. In both cultivars, addition of 50 μM Ni increased urease activity and thereby decreased the urea concentration in the urea treatment. Addition of 100 and 200 μM Ni caused a significant decrease in root and shoot growth of cucumber although this decrease was insignificant for cv. Super Dominus in the 100 μM treatment. The highest fruit yield, total soluble solids (TSS), and fruit firmness were achieved at the 50 μM Ni treatment. Regardless of nitrogen source, Ni addition proportional to the concentration used increased leaf Ni concentration and fruit acid ascorbic concentration. The concentration of Ni required for optimum growth and yield of cucumber varied with cultivars. The level of 50 μM was sufficient for optimum growth of cv. Negin in nutrient‐solution culture while lower concentration of Ni was required for cv. Super Dominus. While the beneficial effects of sufficient levels of Ni on growth and yield of urea‐fed plants was greater than with NH₄NO₃‐fed plants, the toxic effects of Ni in these plants were also greater.     

Experimental transmission of chronic wasting disease (CWD) from elk and white-tailed deer to fallow deer by intracerebral route: final report

Final observations on experimental transmission of chronic wasting disease (CWD) from elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to fallow deer (Dama dama) are reported herein. During the 5-year study, 13 fawns were inoculated intracerebrally with CWD-infected brain material from white-tailed deer (n = 7; Group A) or elk (n = 6; Group B), and 3 other fawns were kept as uninoculated controls (Group C). As described previously, 3 CWD-inoculated deer were euthanized at 7.6 mo post-inoculation (MPI). None revealed presence of abnormal prion protein (PrP(d)) in their tissues. At 24 (Group A) and 26 (Group B) MPI, 2 deer were necropsied. Both animals had a small focal accumulation of PrP(d) in their midbrains. Between 29 and 37 MPI, 3 other deer (all from Group A) were euthanized. The 5 remaining deer became sick and were euthanized between 51 and 60 MPI (1 from Group A and 4 from Group B). Microscopic lesions of spongiform encephalopathy (SE) were observed in only these 5 animals; however, PrP(d) was detected in tissues of the central nervous system by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and by commercial rapid test in all animals that survived beyond 24 MPI. This study demonstrates that intracerebrally inoculated fallow deer not only amplify CWD prions, but also develop lesions of spongiform encephalopathy.     

Effects of artemisinin in broiler chickens following chronic oral intake

Artemisinin has been used for centuries to treat malaria, intestinal tract helminthosis, diarrhea, and used as an antipyretic and sedative agent, but the usage in veterinary medicine is a new field. Recently, it has been used successfully to control experimental poultry coccidiosis. The present study aimed to determine the effects of different doses of artemisinin in broiler chickens with chronic usage. Sixty birds divided into one control and four treatment groups that fed rations mixed with artemisinin at doses of 17, 34, 68, and 136 ppm for 36 days. During the experiment, birds showed no clinical signs except anemia. In microscopic examinations, heart, lung, and spleen had no lesion, but liver, kidney, and brain showed various lesions. Degenerative lesions like intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions were seen in both kidney and liver but fatty change was seen only in liver. There was no relationship between severity of the liver lesions and drug dosage. Central chromatolysis, scattered neuronal necrosis, and mild spongy changes were observed in five regions of the brain that were chosen for sectioning (motor cortex, cerebellar nuclei, midbrain nuclei, and hindbrain nuclei at two separate levels). Severity of lesions in brain was dose-dependent, and cerebral cortex was the most vulnerable area. Haematologic tests showed lower values for hematocrit and red blood cell count dose-dependently. In conclusion, artemisinin is a promising drug for prevention and control of coccidiosis in broiler chickens and its side effects are not too much serious especially at therapeutic doses.     

The first identification of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) in sheep and goats in Egypt: molecular and pathological characterization

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is one of the most fatal and contagious diseases of goats. To date, the occurrence of CCPP in Egypt has not been...     

Agricultural zinc fluxes into soils and crops of central Iran at regional scale

Mass flux assessment can provide information that is essential for a sustainable management of elements in agricultural soils. In this article, we present an assessment of regional-scale averages of zinc (Zn) fluxes into agricultural soils and crops of central Iran for the period 1997–2011, using available databases such as regional agricultural statistics. The basic units of the balances were 15 townships of the provinces Qom, Isfahan and Fars. Averaged over the entire study region, the net Zn input into arable soil resulting from all fertilizer inputs – Zn removal with harvested crops was 1515 g ha^?1 yr^?1 across the entire region, with a range of 438–3009 g ha^?1 yr^?1 among townships. Estimated average Zn inputs with manure, mineral fertilizers, sewage sludge and compost were 1254, 531, 19 and 7 g ha^?1 yr^?1, respectively. The input-to-output ratio of these fluxes ranged from 1.8 to 12.9 among townships and averaged 6.1 for the entire study area. Considering that outputs other than with crop harvests are minor, Zn stocks are rapidly building up in the soils of the study region. Uncertainties in the manure and crop removal data were the main sources of estimation uncertainty in this study.     

Metformin as an adjunct to insulin for glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes after CABG surgery: a randomized double blind clinical trial

Perioperative hyperglycemia is common in patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery and there is a direct relation between postoperative hyperglycemia and mortality rate in these patients. The aim of the present study is to determine the efficacy of metformin on glycemic control in diabetic patients after CABG surgery. In a randomized double blind clinical trial, 100 patients with type 2 diabetes admitted in open heart ICU after CABG surgery in Mazandaran Heart Center were enrolled. They were randomly assigned to two intervention and control groups. Three hours after extubation, therapeutic antiglycemic regimens were applied in these two groups and continued for three days. Intervention group received regular insulin infusion along with two metformin 500 mg tablets per twelve hours while control group received regular insulin infusion with two placebo tablets per twelve hours. Blood glucose level and other parameters were measured and recorded in determined intervals. To analyze the data, independent T-test, paired T-test, Mann-Whitney and repeated measure ANOVA tests were employed. Mean blood glucose level was not significantly different in the two groups at the beginning of the ICU admission; however, mean glucose level in insulin-metformin group, twelve hours after the initiation of the study, was significantly lower than insulin group (p < 0.05). In addition, mean doses of potassium and insulin demand as well as mean number of episodes of hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia and glucose levels out of the accepted range were significantly lower in insulin-metformin group (p < 0.05). Alterations in mean levels of lactate, BE, pH and creatinine were not statistically significant in these two groups. It seems that adding metformin to insulin leads to a better glycemic control in type two diabetic patients undergoing CABG surgery without causing metabolic acidosis. Therefore, it might be a potential option in blood glucose control protocol in this group of patients.     

Enhancing the Reliability of Laboratory Phosphorus Filter Tests: Effect of Influent Properties and Interpretation of Effluent Parameters

The distribution of selected elements in individual fractions of organic matter from anthropogenically contaminated soils was investigated. The attention was paid especially at Hg. Furthermore, contents of S, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb were also measured. The decomposition of organic matter to particular fractions was carried out by the resin DAX-8. Ten soil samples were collected, and the Advanced Mercury Analyzer (AMA-254) was used for the determination of the total Hg content. The two highest Hg values reached up to the concentration 10.5 mg kg^?1, and in the highest one, it was almost 29 mg kg^?1. In each extract, mercury was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), for other elements, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was applied. Results of the analysis show that the Hg content bound to the humic acids is inversely proportional to the content of Mg, Mn, Fe and Cu. However, this dependence was not confirmed by the samples with the mercury content above 10 mg kg^?1. In the case of fulvic acids, the relationship between Hg and S was observed and has again an inverse character.     

Volatile components of Camellia sinensis inhibit growth and biofilm formation of oral streptococci in vitro

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of semi fermented and non fermented Camellia sinensis extracts (Black and Green tea) and comparison between them against Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175, S. mitis ATCC 9811 and S. sanguis ATCC 10556 that are responsible for dental caries and bacteremias following dental manipulations. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of both tea extracts were assessed by Well diffusion and Broth dilution methods and examination of cell adherence (Biofilm inhibitory concentrations) was observed on glass slides under phase contrast microscope and colony counts from glass beads. Concentration of 1 mg mL(-1) of semi fermented tea extract was completely biofilm inhibitor but biofilm formation by these bacteria was seen 7 days after treatment with 1 mg mL(-1) of non fermented Camellia sinensis on glass beads and BIC for oral streptococci treated with this extract was 1.5, 2.5 mg mL(-1) of semi fermented and 3 mg mL(-1) of non fermented extracts had bactericidal effect on these bacteria. Semi fermented and non fermented Camellia sinensis extracts were able to prevent growth of oral streptococci. Therefore dental caries significantly reduce and the efficiency of semi fermented tea was higher due to rich content of volatile components rather than non fermented extracts.