Effect of vitamin A on the skeletal morphogenesis of European sea bass,Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus, 1758)

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of vitamin A levels in the larval diet of Dicentrarchus labrax, (a) on the shape of juvenile skeleton and (b) on the development of pelvic fins. To exclude the side‐effects of skeletal abnormalities on skeleton shape, morphometric analysis was performed on normal individuals only. Geometric morphometric analysis revealed a significant effect of larval nutrition on the shape of juvenile skeleton (Wilk's λ=0.0188, P<0.001), 55 days after the application of the different nutritional regimes. Between‐groups shape differences mainly concerned the position of anterior dorsal pterygiophore, which was associated with a significant (P<0.05) increase of the number of dorsal lepidotrichia and hard spines at low levels of vitamin A (3–9 × 10³ IU kg^?1 dry food). At the lowest vitamin A levels (3 × 10³ IU kg^?1 dry food), the development of pelvic fins was abnormal, with severe bilateral (44±10%, mean±SD) or unilateral (22±9%) lack of the fin lepidotrichia, hard spines and their supporting elements. In the 82–94% of the unilaterally deformed individuals, deformation concerned the left pelvic fin. Concerning the shape of pelvic fins in the normally developed individuals, results demonstrated a significant effect of nutritional conditions on the size and position of all the elements of the pelvic fin area (basipterygium, lower metacleithrum, cleithrum, scapula) (Wilk's λ=0.3087, P<0.001). Our results demonstrate a significant nutritionally driven phenotypic plasticity in D. labrax, with dietary levels of vitamin A determining the skeleton shape and the left–right symmetry of pelvic fins.     

Inherited myopathy in a young Great Dane

A 3-year-old, male Great Dane was evaluated for an 18-month history of progressive weakness. Histologic evaluation of muscle biopsies revealed distinct cytoarchitectural changes that were indistinguishable from the central "core-like" structures previously described as central core myopathy in this breed. Clinical features of this inherited myopathy are described.     

Dietary-related skeletal changes in a Shetland sheepdog puppy

A commercially available, renal failure diet was used to manage suspected renal failure in a 10-week-old Shetland sheepdog puppy. Rickets subsequently developed, possibly from low phosphorous intake and an increased calcium to phosphorus ratio. Decreased dietary calcium in addition to decreased phosphorus may have played a role in decreasing bone mineral density. Lethargy, decreased long bone growth, angular limb deformity, and osteopenia occurred, but these signs resolved within 3 months with nutritional management.     

Interactions between flavonoids and proteins: effect on the total antioxidant capacity

Flavonoids are potent antioxidants. It is also known that flavonoids bind to proteins. The effect of the interaction between tea flavonoids and proteins on the antioxidant capacity was examined. Their separate and combined antioxidant capacities were measured with the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay. It was observed that the antioxidant capacity of several components of green and black tea with alpha-, beta-, and kappa-casein or albumin is not additive; that is, a part of the total antioxidant capacity is masked by the interaction. This masking depends on both the protein and the flavonoid used. Components in green and black tea, which show the highest masking in combination with beta-casein, are epigallocatechin gallate and gallic acid. The results demonstrate that the matrix influences the efficacy of an antioxidant.     

Flavor perception and aroma release from model dairy desserts

Six model dairy desserts, with three different textures and two sucrose levels, were equally flavored with a blend of four aroma compounds [ethyl pentanoate, amyl acetate, hexanal, and (E)-2-hexenal] and evaluated by a seven person panel in order to study whether the sensory perception of the flavor and the aroma release during eating varied with the textural characteristics or the sweetness intensity of the desserts. The sensory perception was recorded by the time intensity (TI) method, while the in vivo aroma release was simultaneously measured by the MS-nose. Considering the panel as a whole, averaged flavor intensity increased with sucrose level and varied with the texture of the desserts. Depending on the aroma compound, the averaged profile of in vivo aroma release varied, but for each aroma compound, averaged aroma release showed no difference with the sucrose level and little difference with the texture of the desserts. Perceptual sweetness-aroma interactions were the main factors influencing perception whatever the texture of the desserts.     

Steady state pig dendritic cells migrating in skin draining pseudo-afferent lymph are semi-mature

Dendritic cells (DC) in peripheral tissues are considered as immature cells that mature and migrate towards lymph nodes upon stimulation with pathogens. This commonly accepted paradigm is challenged by the fact that tolerance to peripheral self antigen is controlled by mature DC and that DC collected from afferent lymph draining different tissues from several species, in the absence of pathogen signaling, were inconsistently found to be either at a mature or semi-mature state. In order to better define the maturation state of DC that migrate in lymph in absence of pathogen stimulation, we compared skin lymph DC to resident and LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-activated skin DC thanks to the establishment of a mini-pig model of lymph duct cannulation. Based on their co-stimulatory molecules expression and endocytotic capacities, pig lymph skin DC were found at an intermediate state of maturation between resident and LPS-activated skin DC and were fully capable of allogeneic T cell stimulation. Furthermore, lymph skin DC could be further matured by LPS or influenza stimulation. Thus, using the pig skin model which is relevant to human, we show that skin-derived DC constantly migrate at an intermediate state of maturation that can be further enhanced upon appropriate stimulation.     

Establishment of planted Norway spruce and Scots pine seedlings: effects of light environment,fertilisation, and orientation and distance with respect to shelter trees

The effects of stand stem density (SSD), orientation and distance with respect to shelter trees, and fertilisation on planted Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies seedlings were examined at two sites, one with a southerly aspect (64°14′N, 19°46′E, 225 m a.s.l.) and one with a northerly aspect (64°09′N, 19°36′E, 274 m a.s.l.) in boreal forests in Sweden. The damage and growth were compared at these sites in stands with three SSD’s and different light regimes: uncut forest (SSD 500, ~500 stems/ha), shelterwood (SSD 150,~150 stems/ha), and clear-cut (SSD, 0 stems). Half of the seedlings were irrigated with fertiliser (10 mM N). Fertilisation and SSD affected the height growth of P. abies, since fertilised seedlings in SSD 0 grew the most (22.2 cm). Fertilised seedlings in SSD 0 also generally had the greatest biomass (twigs, leading shoot and needles), even P. sylvestris seedlings on the North slope, where fertilised and unfertilised pine seedlings in SSD 0 had 62.6 and 39.7 g biomass, respectively. P. sylvestris increased about 150% in dry mass of leading shoot of the increase of P. abies with equal height growth, when comparing SSD 150 and SSD 0. The results indicate that the general conditions of the stand have stronger effects on the growth of planted seedlings than their orientation and distance with respect to the nearest tree and that light requirements cannot be moderated by fertilisation. We postulate that a system in which forest gaps are formed under a shelterwood could provide a way to regenerate forests that exploits the beneficial features of both shelter trees and clear-cuts.