Determination of disodium acid pyrophosphate in French-fried potatoes

An analysis procedure was developed to determine residual disodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP) in French-fry strips after treatment. The uptake of SAPP in relation to concentrations and temperatures of the treating solution, lengths of treating time and loss of P₂O₇ from the finish-fried French fries are also considered.     

Anatomy and compositional variation within potatoes

Re-examination of the histological development of the potato tuber supports Artschwager’s view that tuber growth is predominantly due to enlargement of the perimedullary zone and is of procambial origin. Pith (medulla) and cortical regions are differentiated from the ground or fundamental meristem derived from the apical meristem of the stolon apex, even before tuberization has been initiated. The procambium gives rise to external phloem, primary xylem, internal phloem and associated parenchyma, and likewise to interfascicular parenchyma. Those parenchyma cells so formed inwardly to the xylem “ring” contribute to the growth of the perimedullary zone. The sequence of tissue origins is diagrammed and discussed from the viewpoint of modern concepts of histogenesis.     

Cell size in Russet Burbank potato tubers with various levels of nitrogen and soil moisture tensions

Russet Burbank potatoes were grown at levels of added nitrogen of 0, 135, and 270 kg/ha and soil moisture tensions (SMT) of 0.5 and 1.0 atm. With all combinations, there was a consistent gradient of larger to smaller starch-storage parenchyma cells from stem end to bud end of mature tubers. Stem and bud ends of tubers grown at a SMT of 0.5 atm with N had smaller cortical and pith (innermost medullary or water-core) cells than did ends of tubers grown without N. Perimedullary tissues of bud ends of tubers receiving N likewise contained smaller cells than did corresponding tissues of tubers grown without N. No pronounced differences in cell size were found in tissues from the midsections. In bud-end tissue of tubers grown at a SMT of 1.0 atm, there were no consistent differences in cell size with respect to N levels. However, pith, perimedullary, and cortical tissues of the midsections and stem ends of tubers receiving N had smaller cells than did corresponding tissues from tubers without N. The different patterns of cell size in tubers grown at different SMT indicate that the effects of N may be influenced by soil moisure.     

Oil content of French fries as affected by blanch temperatures,fry temperatures and melting point of frying oils

The oil content of par-fried frozen French fries prepared by two methods, conventional and freeze-leached, was not affected by blanch temperatures when blanched for 15 minutes. Melting points of the frying oil did affect the oil content of par-fried French fries. The differences were variable and could not be explained by melting point alone. Blowing the potato strips with ambient air after the par-fry and cooling below the melting point of the frying oil had no effect on the oil content of the frozen product. Contrary to previous reports, the oil content of the French fries increased significantly as the par-frying temperature was increased from 160.0 to 185°C (320 to 365°F) with the greatest increase occurring between 171.1 and 185.0°C (340 and 365°F). The French fries par-fried 1 min at 171.1 and 185.0°C (340 and 365°F) were judged to have identical quality after finish frying 3 minutes at 185.0°C (365°F). A lower par-fry temperature or possibly a shorter par-fry time at the higher temperature would be an advantage to the processor who could use less oil and energy without adversely affecting the quality of the final consumable product.     

Molecular epidemiological studies of veterinary arboviral encephalitides

Recent studies using molecular genetic approaches have made important contributions to our understanding of the epidemiology of veterinary arboviral encephalitides. Viruses utilizing avian enzootic hosts, such as Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) and North American Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), evolve as relatively few, highly conserved genotypes that extend over wide geographic regions; viruses utilizing mammalian hosts with more limited dispersal evolve within multiple genotypes, each geographically restricted. Similar findings have been reported for Australian alphaviruses. This difference may be related to vertebrate host relationships and the relative mobility of mammals and avians. Whereas EEEV and Venezualan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) utilize small mammalian hosts in the tropics, most WEEV genotypes probably utilize avian hosts in both North and South America. The ability of mobile, infected avian hosts to disperse alphaviruses may result in continual mixing of virus populations, and thus limit diversification. This high degree of genetic conservation is also exhibited by EEE and Highlands J viruses in North America, where passerine birds serve as amplifying hosts in enzootic transmission foci. Most equine arboviral pathogens, including EEEV, WEEV and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), occur in a naturally virulent enzootic state and require only appropriate ecological conditions to cause epizootics and epidemics. However, VEE epizootics apparently require genetic changes to convert avirulent enzootic strains into distinct epizootic serotypes. All of these arboviruses have the potential to cause severe disease of veterinary and human health importance, and further molecular epidemiological studies will undoubtedly improve our ability to understand and control future emergence.     

Feeding 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan during the transition from pregnancy to lactation increases calcium mobilization from bone in rats

An increasing demand for calcium during pregnancy and lactation can result in both clinical and subclinical hypocalcemia during the early lactation period in several mammalian species, in particular the dairy cow. Serotonin (5-HT) was recently identified as a regulator of lactation and bone turnover. The purpose of this study was to determine whether supplementation of the maternal diet with a 5-HT precursor would increase maternal bone turnover and calcium mobilization to maintain appropriate circulating maternal concentrations of ionized calcium during lactation. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 30) were fed either a control diet (n = 15) or a diet supplemented with the 5-HT precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP, 0.2%; n = 15) from day 13 of pregnancy through day 9 of lactation. Maternal serum and plasma (day 1 and day 9 of lactation), milk and pup weight (daily), mammary gland and bone tissue (day 9 of lactation) were collected for analysis. The 5-HTP diet elevated circulating maternal concentrations of 5-HT on day 1 and day 9 of lactation and parathyroid hormone related-protein (PTHrP) on day 9 of lactation (P < 0.033). In addition, 5-HTP supplementation increased total serum calcium concentrations on day 1 of lactation and total milk calcium concentration on day 9 of lactation (P < 0.032). Supplemental 5-HTP did not alter milk yield, maternal body weight, mammary gland structure, or pup litter weights (P > 0.05). Supplemental 5-HTP also resulted in increased concentrations of mammary 5-HT and PTHrP, as well as increased mRNA expression of rate-limiting enzyme in 5-HT synthesis, tryptophan hydroxylase 1, and Pthrp mRNA on day 9 of lactation (P < 0.028). In addition, supplementation of 5-HTP resulted in increased mRNA expression of maternal mammary calcium transporters and resorption of bone in the femur, indicated by increase osteoclast number and diameter as well as mRNA expression of classical markers of bone resorption on day 9 of lactation (P < 0.048). These results show that increasing 5-HT biosynthesis during the transition from pregnancy to lactation could be a potential therapeutic target to explore for prevention of subclinical and clinical hypocalcemia.     

Seroprevalence of ovine progressive pneumonia virus in sheep in the United States as assessed by analyses of voluntarily submitted samples.

Ovine progressive pneumonia (OPP) is a lentivirus-induced disease of sheep in the United States that is similar, if not identical, to maedi/visna in many other countries. Prevalence estimates of seropositivity to this virus in sheep in the United States have been confined to limited groups or flocks of sheep and have varied from 1 to 90%. In this study of detection of antibodies against OPP virus, we found a lower general prevalence of antibodies to OPP virus in sheep than was previously reported. Of 16,827 sheep from 29 states in the United States, 26% were seropositive and 48% of 164 flocks that were tested had 1 or more seropositive sheep. Seropositivity to OPP virus for sheep within special categories was determined, although nonrandom samples that were available may have biased the results. Within regions of the United States, prevalence was highest in the Rocky Mountain region at 49% and lowest in the northern Atlantic region at 9%. Seropositive sheep were not evenly distributed among flocks, but were clustered in a few flocks of sheep. A high number of flocks had no or few seropositive sheep. Prevalence increased with age from 4% at less than 1 year to a plateau of 34% at 4 years. Seropositivity was variable among breeds and was not associated with sex, wool class, or place of origin of ancestors.     

A simple device for respiratory resuscitation of newborn calves and lambs

The neonatal death of calves and lambs is responsible for a heavy financial loss to the farming industry; respiratory failure accounts for 6 per cent of the post parturient deaths in lambs. A simple method of pulmonary resuscitation with expired air is described employing a device portable and simple enough for emergency use by herdsmen and shepherds. The rationale of the use of the equipment is explained.     

Pathology of surgically resected tissue from 305 cases of anal furunculosis in the dog

Data are presented from a series of 305 cases of canine anal furunculosis in which the German shepherd dog was over-represented (n = 255) compared with dogs of other breeds (n = 50). The age and sex distribution in each group was similar. The nature and severity of pathological change in surgically resected tissue from German shepherd dogs was compared to that in dogs of other breeds. The microscopic appearance of lesions in each group was similar and did not suggest a simple reason for the breed predisposition in this disorder.