Heat markers and quality indexes of industrially heat-treated [15N] milk protein measured in rats

To determine the bioavailability of industrially heat-treated milk proteins, male Wistar rats were given [15N]-labeled meals containing either nonheated-micellar casein (CAS), milk soluble protein isolate (MSPI), and microfiltered milk (MF)-or heated products-"high temperature short time" pasteurized (HTST), "higher temperature, shorter time" pasteurized (HHST), ultrahigh temperature-treated (UHT), and spray-dried (SPRAY) milks. The postprandial distribution of dietary nitrogen was measured in the splanchnic area and urea. Digestibility was around 96% except for SPRAY (94%) and MSPI (98%). Ingested nitrogen recovered in the splanchnic bed was 19.3% for SPRAY, 16.7% for MF, and around 14-15% for other products. Deamination of dietary nitrogen reached 21.2, 20.6, and 18.2% of ingested nitrogen for MSPI, SPRAY, and CAS, respectively, and around 14-16% for other products. In our model, only spray drying led to a significant increase of splanchnic extraction. Moreover, the biological value of purified protein fractions appeared to be lower than that seen in products containing total milk protein.     

Predicting individual tree mortality in northern hardwood stands under uneven-aged management in southern Québec, Canada

This study proposes a generalized linear mixed model to predict individual tree mortality in northern hardwood stands under uneven-aged management. The model is based on a complementary log-log (CLL) link function, and was calibrated using permanent-plot data. Tree vigor, stem product, diameter at breast height and stand basal area were tested as explanatory variables. A plot and an interval random effect were specified to account for spatial correlations. When compared with the traditional logit link function, the CLL facilitates the inclusion of the time factor. In this case study, there was an important variability of mortality predictions between the plots and the intervals for a given plot. The interval random effect is thought to be associated with catastrophic mortality. Since both tree vigor and stem product proved to be significant mortality predictors, we recommend that these variables be evaluated to increase the accuracy of mortality models.     

Impact of introducing a herb pasture area into a New Zealand sheep and beef hill country farm system: a modeling analysis

New Zealand is well known for export of meat and dairy products from low cost pastoral systems. These farm systems are continually evolving for increased efficiency, in part through the use of metabolic energy modeling tools by farmers and farm consultants to explore alternative farm system configurations and identify new efficiencies. One recent innovation is the introduction of a herb pasture area, such as plantain. We used metabolic energy modeling to quantify seasonal feed flows in two successive years in a New Zealand hill country farm system, and to analyze the impact of the introduction of an area of plantain. Models employed were a self-built Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and a commercial New Zealand farm systems modeling package, FARMAX. Herbage production, animal performance and financial results for a base farm scenario created from the average of survey data for hill farms in the southern North Island, and the same farm with 10% and 20% of the area in plantain for the years 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 were modeled. The self-built model performed similarly to the commercial model. The system configuration of the base farm stockpiles surplus autumn feed for release to animals in winter and also incorporates flexibility that confers resilience to interannual weather variation through varying dates animals are purchased or sold. The introduction of an area of plantain was predicted to increase herbage production, animal performance and financial returns. The predicted benefit was higher for the year 2010–2011 where a drought occurred in summer than for the following year with higher summer rainfall. This demonstrates the profitability of introducing a plantain area to New Zealand hill farm systems, and suggests plantain will assist to mitigate adverse effects of warmer and drier summer conditions associated with current climate change trends.     

Influence of a long-term storage in anaerobic conditions on Norway spruce (Picea abies,L. Karst.) physical and mechanical wood properties

Timber storage is a key aspect of storm damage management. After huge storms, sprinkling storage is usually the most used conservation process but anaerobic storage in sealed silos appears as good alternative to preserve wood quality over long periods. This paper investigates the impact of long-term (57 months) storage of Norway spruce logs in anaerobic atmosphere on wood properties. Tests were performed on clear wood specimens and on lumbers to determine the modulus of elasticity (E), the static bending strength (σ_f) and the dynamic bending strength (K). Storage effects on impregnability and colour variation were also studied. Results show no effect of storage on E, σ_f and K. The naturally poor impregnability of Norway spruce is not improved by the anaerobic conditions, compared to traditional wet storage. Triangle tests reveal no discernible colour variation between logs that underwent anaerobic storage and the control sample. As a conclusion, despite a mould (Gliocladium solani) frequently observed on logs surface after the storage, the process offers ideal conservation conditions. While overall cost remains the main drawback for using anaerobic storage at large scale, the process can be recommended for high value logs, especially since it has few environmental impacts.     

Prevalence of cross‐ or multiple resistance to the acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase inhibitors fenoxaprop,clodinafop and pinoxaden in black‐grass (Alopecurus myosuroides Huds.) in France

BACKGROUND: Repeated use of acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors, especially fenoxaprop and clodinafop, since the late 1980s has selected for resistance in Alopecurus myosuroides Huds. (black‐grass) in France. We investigated whether resistance to pinoxaden, a phenylpyrazoline ACCase inhibitor to be marketed in France, was present in French black‐grass populations. We investigated pinoxaden resistance conferred by five mutant ACCase isoforms. Using 84 French black‐grass field samples, we also compared the frequencies of other mechanisms endowing resistance to fenoxaprop, clodinafop or pinoxaden. RESULTS: ACCase mutant isoforms Leu‐1781, Gly‐2078 and, likely, Cys‐2027 conferred cross‐resistance to pinoxaden, while isoform Asn‐2041 possibly conferred moderate resistance. Other mechanisms of resistance to fenoxaprop, clodinafop and pinoxaden were detected in 99, 68 and 64% of the samples investigated, respectively. Cross‐ or multiple resistance to fenoxaprop or clodinafop and pinoxaden was not systematically observed, suggesting a diversity of mechanisms exist. CONCLUSION: Pinoxaden resistance was observed before pinoxaden release in France. Only a fraction of the mechanisms endowing fenoxaprop or clodinafop resistance also confer pinoxaden resistance. Pinoxaden resistance was likely mostly selected for by ACCase inhibitors, and, in some cases, possibly by herbicides with other modes of action. This illustrates the necessity to use metabolisable herbicides cautiously where black‐grass has evolved non‐target‐site‐based resistance. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Protein bodies ontogeny and localization of prolamin components in the developing endosperm of wheat caryopses

During caryopsis development, prolamins are initially stored in individual protein bodies, then generate a protein matrix in the ripe caryopsis. The ontogeny of the protein bodies was analyzed by fluorescence and electron microscopy from 7 to 43 days after anthesis (dAA), a period of time from the cellularization of endosperm to its desiccation. A series of antibodies specific to each prolamin type (α/β-, γ-, ω-gliadins, low-molecular weight and high-molecular weight glutenin subunits) made it possible to localize and co-localize the different prolamins in organelles of endosperm cells at different developmental stages. Protein bodies containing prolamins were observed as early as 7 dAA. At the early developmental stages, protein bodies were spherical with diameters around 1–2 μm. Later, around 15 dAA, the PBs enlarged, and aggregation and/or coalescence were prominent at 21 dAA. From 33 dAA, individual PBs were no longer visible, but a protein matrix was confined in the space between starch granules. All prolamins were found in the same protein bodies, without any segregation according to their types. Immunochemical labelling of prolamins failed to reveal in TEM analyses any particular internal organization in protein bodies. Glutenin subunits and gliadins were observed in the Golgi apparatus at the early stages of endosperm development.     

Specific features and survival of French bulldogs with congenital pulmonic stenosis: a prospective cohort study of 66 cases

Introduction

The objectives of this study were to characterize the epidemiological, clinical, and echocardiographic features of French bulldogs (FBs) with congenital pulmonic stenosis and document their survival times and risk factors for cardiac death (CD).