The Seasonal Variation in Bioactive Compounds Content in Juice from Organic and Non-organic Tomatoes

A specific objective of this paper was to evaluate seasonal changes in bioactive compounds level (carotenoids and polyphenols) in juice prepared from organic and non-organic tomatoes in Poland. In the examined tomato juice, the content of dry matter, vitamin C, carotenoids as well as polyphenols (by HPLC method) has been measured. The presented results indicate the impact of the growing system and the year of production on the composition of tomato juice. The organic tomato juice contained significantly more beta-carotene, chlorogenic acid, rutin as well as more total phenolic acids, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, total flavonoids, quercetin-3-O-glucoside and quercetin in comparison with the non-organic. The tomato juice from 2008 contained significantly more carotenoids and some flavonoids compared to the one produced in 2009, which contained significantly more dry matter, vitamin C, as well as quercetin and it derivatives.     

Expression of inflammation-mediated cluster of genes as a new marker of canine mammary malignancy

Because canine mammary tumours constitute a serious clinical problem and there are no good prognostic markers (only histopathological variables are used), the aim of the presented study was to find new malignancy markers as well as to identify intracellular pathways and biological processes characteristic for canine mammary malignancy. We compared gene expression of the most malignant mammary tumours (poorly differentiated cancers of the 3rd grade of malignancy) with less malignant tumours (well differentiated cancers of the 1st grade of malignancy). The results of our study indicated that in dogs the number of tumour-infiltrating myeloid cells or expression of myeloid-specific antigens by cancer cells is related to the cancer progression and may constitute a new marker of malignancy, however further studies in this field are required.     

Comparative pharmacokinetics of acetylsalicylic acid and sodium salicylate in chickens and turkeys

1. Pharmacokinetics of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and sodium salicylate (SS) were assessed following single intravenous (i.v.) and oral administration at doses of 50 mg/kg body weight to chickens and turkeys. Plasma drug concentrations were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection and pharmacokinetic variables were calculated using a non-compartmental model.

2. The mean residence time (MRT) of salicylate (SA) after i.v. administration of SS was 6.08 ± 0.59 and 3.32 ± 0.27 h and after oral administration was 6.95 ± 0.72 and 4.55 ± 0.71 h in chickens and turkeys, respectively. The elimination half-life (T _{1/2 e}) was shorter in turkeys compared with chickens. The value of body clearance (Cl_B) was higher in turkeys than in chickens, but the apparent volume of distribution (V _ss) was similarly low in both species. The bioavailability of SS was complete and the maximal plasma concentration of SA (C _max) after oral administration was 96.93 ± 8.06 and 91.76 ± 9.64 µg/ml, respectively, in chickens and turkeys.

3. The MRT of ASA after iv administration was 0.24 ± 0.08 and 0.24 ± 0.02 h and after oral administration was 0.78 ± 0.25 and 0.59 ± 0.13 h, respectively, in chickens and turkeys. In both species, T _{1/2 e} was very short, Cl_B and V _ss were similar and markedly higher than those of salicylate. The bioavailability of unchanged ASA was low and C _max after oral administration was 6.9 ± 3.6 µg/ml in chickens and 8.6 ± 1.3 µg/ml in turkeys.     

Spatio-temporal heterogeneity of soil microbial properties in a conventionally managed arable field

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Knowledge about the spatio-temporal variability of soil microbial properties is crucial in evaluating their structure-function relationship and their impact on...     

Fruit Physical Features,Phenolic Compounds Profile and Inhibition Activities of Cranberry Cultivars (Vaccinium macrocarpon) Compared to Wild-Grown Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccus)

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - This study analysed fruits of cranberry cultivars: Ben Lear, Bergman, Early Richard, Pilgrim and Stevens and compared them with wild-grown cranberry fruits. The...     

Measurement of condensed tannins and dry matter in red grape homogenates using near infrared spectroscopy and partial least squares

Samples (n = 620) of homogenized red grape berries were analyzed using a visible and near-infrared (NIR) spectrophotometer (400-2500 nm) in reflectance. The spectra and the analytical data were used to develop partial least-squares calibrations to predict dry matter (DM) content and condensed tannins (CT) concentrations. The coefficient of determination in cross-validation and the standard error of cross-validation were 0.92 and 0.83% w/w for DM and 0.86 and 0.46 mg/g epicatechin equivalents for CT, respectively. The standard error in prediction was 1.34% w/w for DM and 0.89 mg/g epicatechin equivalents for CT, respectively. By implementing a NIR spectroscopy method to measure DM and CT in red grape homogenates, we have developed an approach that is suited to large-scale compositional analysis in commercial wine production facilities, as it enables the analysis of large numbers of samples needed to stream batches of fruit. From an economical point of view, the calibration models could be achieved with relatively small data sets. Thus, NIR offers a suitable and efficient tool for the simultaneous measurement of DM and CT in addition to other important parameters in red grape homogenates such as total anthocyanins, total soluble solids, and pH, with minimal sample preparation and low cost.     

Spatial and Temporal Changes of Jet Fuel Contamination in an Unconfined Sandy Aquifer

Leakage of jet fuel from an oil skimmer has resulted in soil and groundwater contamination at the fire fighting training site of the Oslo international airport. The site is located on an unconfined sandy aquifer formed by the Gardermoen ice contact delta. A strong relationship between hydrogeological settings and spatial distribution of the hydrocarbons has been observed. Leaching hydrocarbons constitute a source of dissolved BTEX and naphthalene. Concentration of the dissolved hydrocarbons, electron acceptors and metabolic by-products has revealed concomitant changes in space and in time, in response to groundwater fluctuations. Correlation between high concentrations of hydrocarbons, elevated alkalinity and depleted electron acceptors supports the hypothesis that intrinsic bioremediation has been taking place at the site. Naphthalene, however, has been found persistent under anoxic conditions. Calculations of biodegradation potential indicates that Fe(III) reduction, methanogenesis, nitrate and sulphate reduction are the main factors controlling biodegradation.     

Prevalence of Babesia canis, Borrelia afzelii, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in hard ticks removed from dogs in Warsaw (central Poland)

The purposes of this study were to specify the occurrence and prevalence of Babesia canis, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in ticks removed from dogs in Warsaw, and to determine the Borrelia species occurring in Ixodes ricinus ticks. Among 590 collected ticks, 209 were identified as I. ricinus, and 381 as Dermacentor reticulatus. DNA of B. canis was detected in 11% of D. reticulatus ticks. We found that 6.2% of I. ricinus ticks harbored B. burgdorferi s.l. specific DNA and 2.9% harbored A. phagocytophilum DNA. In these samples sequencing of the detected Borrelia amplicon confirmed infection with Borrelia afzelii genospecies. New sequences were submitted to the GenBank database (accession no. EU152128, EU152127, EU152126). This work is the first detection of B. afzelii and A. phagocytophilum in ticks from Warsaw, and the first survey for the prevalence of B. canis, B. afzelii, and A. phagocytophilum in ticks in central Poland.     

Agreement between ELISA and complement fixation test used for diagnosing of paratuberculosis in goats

An ELISA with a lipoarabinomannan as an antigen, developed for diagnosis of bovine paratuberculosis, has been adapted for use in goats, and compared with complement fixation test. Kappa value of 0.62 indicated good agreement between CFT and the adapted ELISA and proved that the investigated ELISA may be helpful in diagnosis of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis infection in goats. The ELISA has been used to screen a randomly selected representative sample of Polish breeding goat population (21.78% of herds, 21.33% of goats). It has been demonstrated that only 2.42% of animals coming from 15.79% of herds were seropositive. Within-herd seroprevalence varied from 1.69% to 38.10%. Most of the infected animals (67.07%) were 3- 4-years-old. No seropositive cases were found in group up to 1-year-old animals.